Vitamin D Deficiency: A Global Problem with Health Implications

Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic. The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of appreciation that sun exposure in moderation is the major source of vitamin D for most humans. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D are often inadequate to satisfy either a child’s or an adult’s vitamin D requirement. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases. A circulating level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of >75 nmol/L, or 30 ng/mL, is required to maximize vitamin D’s beneficial effects for health. In the absence of adequate sun exposure, at least 800 –1000 IU vitamin D₃/d may be needed to achieve this in children and adults. Vitamin D₂ may be equally effective for maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D when given in physiologic concentrations.

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, physiologic concentrations.

Title: Vitamin D Deficiency: A Global Problem with Health Implications

Author: Majed Abdullah Alqahtani, Lamya Fahad Abdulwahed, Mohammed Ibrahim Dayili, Sultan Fahad Alqahtani, Ibrahim Hussain Qaisi, Nahedh Rashed Alotaibi, Hassan Ghanam Alqahtani, Dr.Ayeman Abdullah Mahzari_, Wardah Naiher Alanazi, Aminah Fazaa Alanazi

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

Vol. 10, Issue 4, October 2022 - December 2022

Page No: 104-109

Research Publish Journals

Website: www.researchpublish.com

Published Date: 29-December-2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7492207

Paper Download Link (Source)

https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/vitamin-d-deficiency-a-global-problem-with-health-implications