From the Vitamin Diary
Vitamin D - The 'Sunshine Vitamin'
Vitamin D is commonly known as the 'Sunshine Vitamin'. The growth and maintenance of the normal bones largely depends on this.
About ten compounds with vitamin D activity have been identified, the two most important are vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol.
Vitamin D3 was found to be identical to the natural vitamin D occurring in fish-liver oils.
Vitamin D in foods and in food concentrates is not easily destroyed by heating.
It is soluble in fat and fat-solvents and insoluble in water.
While bile is essential for the absorption of vitamin D, fat helps in its absorption too. This vitamin is absorbed from the jejunum of the small intestine and is transported, like vitamin A, in the lymph chylomicrons to the bloodstream. Reserves of the vitamin are found in the liver, skin, brain, and bones, where it is stored for future use. Excretion of vitamin D and its metabolites occurs primarily in the faeces with the aid of bile salts. Very little vitamin D appears in the urine.
Recommended Daily Allowance - Vitamin D |
|
Men |
0.01 mg |
Women |
0.01 mg |
Children |
0.01 mg |
Benefits of Vitamin D - Functions in the body
• most essential vitamin for preventing rickets , which is a known deficiency disease affecting children, and is characterised by defective bone formation, disturbance of calcium utilisation in the body, and resulting weakness.
• assists in the assimilation of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in the digestive tract.
• necessary for the healthy functioning of the parathyroid glands , which regulate the calcium level in the blood.
• very important during infancy and adolescence for the proper formation of teeth and bones .
• good supply of Vitamin D during pregnancy benefits the mother and helps to ensure the satisfactory future development of the child.
Vitamin D - Deficiency Symptoms
• may cause rickets , a disease affecting the whole body. Its most characteristic symptom is the failure of the bones to calcify properly.
• may lead to tooth decay, pyorrhoea, brittle or soft bones, retarded growth, and poor bone formation in children.
• may cause muscular weakness, lack of vigour, deficient assimilation of minerals, and premature ageing.
Your Health and Mine |