ZU-B has Vitamin D
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Vitamin D
Written by Dr. Patti Zub
While it has been well documented that adequate calcium intake is essential in maintaining optimal bone health, the role of Vitamin D has been recognized as being integral to efficient calcium uptake by the body. The primary function of Vitamin D is to facilitate the body’s absorption of dietary calcium from the intestine, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Lack of Vitamin D, and therefore calcium, will lead to bone loss (osteoporosis) or soft bones (osteomalacia). This puts one at risk for fractures and can cause muscle weakness and pain respectively.
Adequate Vitamin D intake is difficult to achieve through dietary sources alone. While fatty fish, fish oils, and fortified foods such as milk and cereal are the most accessible sources, they are often not adequately consumed. Exposure to natural sunlight is also a source of Vitamin D (hence the nickname “the sunshine vitamin”), but the widespread use of sunscreen has minimized this source. Elderly people who spend their time indoors, darker skinned people and those of us living in the Northern latitudes will make less Vitamin D and are more likely to be deficient. In addition, people with celiac and inflammatory bowel disease may develop low Vitamin D levels due to malabsorption.
Recently, new studies have revealed that Vitamin D is also important for overall good health, as deficiency has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, and an increased risk of certain cancers, such as breast, colon, prostate, pancreatic and ovarian cancer. Vitamin D intake may help prevent proliferation of these cancers and, along with calcium, may reduce the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Vitamin D helps cells differentiate properly and therefore may prevent normal cells from becoming cancer cells. Adequate Vitamin D levels have also been linked to improved muscle performance, decrease risk of falls and improved cognitive function in the elderly.
The current RDA for Vitamin D is 400 IU daily. Most people require between 800-1000 IU daily and the guidelines may be revised. Vitamin D can be safely taken in dosages of up to 2000 IU daily.