 |
Vitamin D Is Not Just For Bones
Author: Tom Nuckels  | Posted: 06-02-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 47 | Rating: (55)  (?) 
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that possesses both the characteristics of a vitamin and a hormone. It is necessary for growth, especially for normal growth and development of bones and teeth in children.
It protects against muscle weakness and is involved in regulation of the heartbeat. It is also important in the prevention and treatment of breast and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and hypocalcemia. It enhances immunity and is necessary for thyroid function and normal blood clotting.
It can be found in three forms including vitamin D2 (ergocaliciferol) which comes from food sources, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is synthesized in the skin as a response to the exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, and a synthetic form vitamin D5. Vitamin D3 is considered the natural form and is the most active.
Ergocaliciferol, the form we get from food, is not fully active and requires conversion by the liver and kidneys to become fully active. This is why people with liver or kidney disorders have a higher risk for developing osteoporosis.
Exposing the skin to the sun's ultraviolet rays causes a cholesterol compound in the skin to be transformed into a precursor of vitamin D. Exposing the face and arms to the sun for fifteen minutes three times a week is an effective way to ensure an adequate amount of vitamin D for the body.
However, it has been found by researchers that the limited amount of sunlight during the winter months in the upper third of the U.S. continent cannot produce adequate amounts by exposure to sunlight. Therefore, supplementation is required to ensure adequate amounts during the winter months.
A severe deficiency of vitamin D can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Rickets results when the lack of vitamin D affects the body's ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Early signs of a deficiency include nervousness, painful muscle spasms, leg cramps, and numbness of the arms and legs.
Eventually, malformations of the bones may develop due to bone softening. Bowed legs, knock-knees, scoliosis, a narrow rib cage, a protruding breastbone, and/or beading at the ends of the ribs as well as tooth decay, delayed walking, irritability, restlessness, and profuse sweating. Fortunately, rickets is now very rare in the U.S. It is usually seen in children aged six to twenty-four months.
Vitamin D deficiency in adults is referred to as osteomalacia and is most often related to the body's inability to properly absorb phosphorous and calcium. It is most likely to occur in pregnant women and nursing mothers, whose nutritional requirements are higher than normal, or individuals with malabsorption problems.
Osteomalacia may also affect people whose diets are extremely low in fat such that adequate bile cannot be manufactured and vitamin D cannot be absorbed. This condition can be caused by kidney failure. It is difficult to diagnose osteomalacia and it often misdiagnosed as osteoporosis.
Less severe deficiencies may result in loss of appetite, a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, diarrhea, insomnia, vision problems, and weight loss. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study which reported there are indications that vitamin D deficiency is much more widespread than previously thought. This is especially the case in older adults.
In a group of people who had few risk factors for deficiency, 57% were found to have below-normal levels of vitamin D and 67% of those who reported a vitamin D intake below the RDI had moderate to severe deficiencies.
Vitamin D should be taken with calcium and avoid mega doses of vitamin D to avoid toxicity. Toxicity can occur from taking over 65,000 international units of vitamin D over a period of two years.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/vitamin-d-is-not-just-for-bones-101508.html
About the Author:Tom Nuckels is health article author and owner of the LpVitamins.com website. His customers range from children to the elderly and from carpenters to doctors. You can find more health articles when you visit http://www.lpvitamins.com.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Symptoms and Prevention of Osteoporosis
By: James Hunt | 27/12/2005 | Health
Both women and men suffer from osteoporosis but women are much more likely to contract the disease. You might think your bones and strong and unbreakable, but...
Taking Care of your Eyes and Bones
By: Laura Ng | 30/08/2007 | Health
Tired eyes and backaches are two common discomfort faced by office workers today. Find out how a change in diet can improve your situation.
Bone Health and Children - How Parents Can Help
By: Chima Njoku | 02/03/2008 | Wellness
Bone health is an important part of a kid’s health, and moms can help their kids build strong bones. Encouraging them to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D is one way to achieve this goal; the other is getting her involved in regular physical activity. When it comes to bone health, there is such a thing as “too little, too late.” The health habits you help your kids form today can make, or literally break, their bones later in life.
Fight Colorectal Cancer And Osteoporosis With Vitamin D
By: Lee Dobbins | 13/11/2006 | Non-Fiction
Learn about vitamin D, how much you should be taking, how you can get more of it, and the symptoms of deficiency.
Beat Osteoporosis With These Bone Building Secrets
By: Graeme Lanham | 07/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
Osteoporosis is caused when bones become less dense, lose strength and break more easily due to calcium loss. It can occur at any age, but is most common after 60 when one in two women and one in three men will suffer a bone fracture. Breaks are most common in the spine, hip and wrist and often occur after only a minor fall. Read on to discover what you can do to stop bone loss and increase bone mass?
Diet, Sunlight and Osteoporosis
By: Steve Smith | 05/04/2008 | Health
Osteoporosis is a pernicious and debilitating condition, but one which it's relatively easy to avoid with sufficient attention to the daily diet
Osteopororosis, a Silent Disease Affecting 1 in 2 Women!
By: Jeannette Hovey | 12/04/2008 | Health
An insight to osteoporosis is provided in the following article which focuses on risk factors. Many of which can be modified through lifestyle changes. Bone health is very important to everyone as a fracture can be very debilitating. Read on to learn about factors which can be changed and those which cannot, that affect the health of your bones!
The Menopause Vitamin
By: Ralph Quinlan Forde | 27/02/2008 | Women's Health
After the recent scares in the media about the risks associated with HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) there is a strong case for using alternative medicine to balance the body, especially when you get to supply your body with plant hormones rather than ones derived from horse’s urine.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
The elephant man
By: aewbondsman | 07-07-2008
Was there a real elephant man if so tell me a little about him.
Does anyone have a recipe for homemade linoment.I ...
By: Jackie | 23-06-2008
Does anyone have a recipe for homemade linoment.I have severe knee pain from osteoarthritis. None of the store bought give relief.Thanks
How Much Calcium In 8oz. of Milk?
By: DMCM | 18-06-2008
How many mg of Calcium are in 8oz of Fat Free, Lactose Free Milk.This is the mild that is easy to digest for lactose intolerant people.Thank You!Diane McManus - dianemcmanus@aol.com
Food phobia!
By: mrankens | 12-06-2008
I have a major phobia about eating meat sometimes, even seafood! It literally freaks me out!.. especially if there is any kind of bones or cartilage, vains in it, blood! In a world where it's common to enjoy a thick juicy steak, turkey on Thanksgiving.. bratts and burgers on the grill.. what the heck is wrong with me?!!
Osteoarthritis
By: HeartsanCareBear | 19-05-2008
How can I ease the pain of having Osteoarthritis in my spine, back,shoulder and arm?
As a fully grown 24 year old can my bones still ...
By: seapeople | 09-05-2008
as a fully grown 24 year old can my bones still get thicker
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Health Articles
Getting To The Bottom Of Internal Hemorrhoids
By: Jose Rossello | 19/07/2008
Remedies for internal hemorrhoids ranges greatly: from surgery to medication, changes in diet, suppositories, natural herbal remedies or a combination of these. Hemorrhoid medications are designed to soothe the pain of the condition, shrink the swollen tissue and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Dental Cleanings: Why Semi-annual Dental Cleanings are Essential
By: David Siegel | 19/07/2008
Dental cleanings are essential to good dental health.
How To Lose Fat And Gain Muscle
By: Cliff Baker | 19/07/2008
The pace of life is getting faster for most of us. This is one of the reasons why fast food restaurants are popping up like mushrooms wherever you go. It's easy to opt for quicker food stops since no one really has time to cook and fix healthy meals. It may be a quick fix, but done everyday, all the bad stuff in fast food is going to creep up
Mold Exposure and Health Problems
By: Richard Barthallo | 19/07/2008
If you are one of the millions of people that do suffer from allergies, then you know how annoying and painful they can be. A large percentage of visits to the doctor are allergy related. A significant amount of money spent every year for over the counter and prescription remedies that will help to ease allergy sufferer's discomfort.
Twelve Qualities of Spirit - Health
By: Peri Enkin | 19/07/2008
When we think of health only in terms of the physical body we think too small. And when we think small we find ourselves trying to deal with "symptoms" and "conditions" at the surface level and not achieving the results we want.
Free Exercise to Make Your Penis Bigger
By: Tyler Williams | 19/07/2008
Do you know how to make your penis bigger naturally? You'll know once you read this article.
Where to Look for Arthritis Back Pain Relief Products
By: Scott Goodman | 19/07/2008
Arthritis is an illness that is mainly characterized by pain and swelling in the joints. The term arthritis is actually an umbrella term that includes more than 100 different conditions, all which are considered in some way as being a form of arthritis.
What is the Difference Between Fat and Carbohydrates (carbs)?
By: Ronald Godlewski | 19/07/2008
There are three primary macronutrients that are necessary to promote healthy life, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Carbohydrates and fats are two very different macronutrients, and your body requires different amounts of each in order to promote the right level of health.
More from Tom Nuckels
Are Antioxidants Your Antidote to Aging?
By: Tom Nuckels | 21/05/2007 | Health
Fresh fruits and vegetables may be your secret to lasting youth rather than a magic pill or potion! Carrots, spinach, and broccoli (among other vegetables) contain compounds known as antioxidants, which research suggests may be powerful weapons in the war against premature aging.
When a Loved One Has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - What Do You Do?
By: Tom Nuckels | 25/04/2007 | Non-Fiction
Most certainly, you know someone who has been stricken by this misunderstood and debilitating illness. You want to be positive and supportive but what do you say or do?
Is Alpha Lipoic Acid the Emerging Premier Anti-Aging Antioxidant?
By: Tom Nuckels | 18/04/2007 | Non-Fiction
Alpha lipoic acid at supplemental levels acts as a powerful and versatile antioxidant. Could this be the emerging premier anti-aging antioxidant?
Ten Tips for Reducing Stress in Your Life
By: Tom Nuckels | 11/04/2007 | Non-Fiction
Stress, we've all felt it at one time or another. But many people feel stress often; some even feel it as a part of their daily lives. Learning to reduce your stress levels can help you live happier, healthier, and maybe even longer.
Low Glycemic Index Diets - Are They The Path To Weight Loss?
By: Tom Nuckels | 04/04/2007 | Health
The low glycemic index (low-GI) diet splits the difference between the low-carb and low-fat approaches. It maintains the low-carb diet's focus on insulin, but it suggests differentiation of certain carbohydrates over others rather than restricting carbohydrate intake.
Low Glycemic Index Diets - Is The Glycemic Idex The Wrong Tool?
By: Tom Nuckels | 04/04/2007 | Health
The glycemic index measures blood sugar response per gram of carbohydrate contained in a food, not per gram of the food, and leads to some odd numbers. Is it the wrong tool to assess the insulin-related effects of food?
Did You Get Your Vitamin F Today?
By: Tom Nuckels | 20/03/2007 | Health
There is a popular myth that one should avoid all fat in the diet, but there is one category of fats that is necessary for good health.
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) - The Heroic Antioxidant
By: Tom Nuckels | 06/03/2007 | Non-Fiction
We hear a lot about vitamin C and the research shows that it is truly the heroic antioxidant. It is important indeed being necessary for at least 300 metabolic functions.
|
|
Health 
