Studies show that, 81% of UAE women suffer from lack of vitamin D and that there are tow out of every three women suffer this problem around the world. Vitamin D deficiency known now as a silent epidemic which affects more than 85 % of women around the world and the number keep rising to reach almost 100 % in the Middle East.
Not only female groups are prone to lack of vitamin D, but it also can affect men and children as well.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins in the body and it considered as the main body regulatory factor to balance the bone calcium level as it enhance the bone mineralization, development of skeleton and teeth.
Vitamin D benefits:
• vitamin D plays a major role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus
• Vitamin D stop cancer cells from multiplying
• Enhance body immunity
• Effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in type 1 & 2 diabetes.
• Decrease the risk of high blood pressure
Causes of vitamin D deficiency:
• No direct exposure of sun due to the burning and dryness complication
• People with dark skin are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency
• Breast feeding for long time without taking any nutritional supplements
• Not eating food rich in vitamin D
• Drinking too much coffee, tea and fizzy drinks
• Smoking
• Obesity
Complications of vitamin D deficiency:
Vitamin D can cause osteoporosis in adults and in children may lead to rickets. Some causes of vitamin D deficiency are:
• Bone fractures
• Bone pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle weakness
• Rickets in children
• Osteoporosis
• Chronic colds and flu
Vitamin D sources:
• Exposing to direct sunlight to the face, arms, hands, or back between 15- 30 munities daily or at least 3 days a week, and without applying and sunscreen creams.
• Fortified foods and beverages such as milk, soy milk and orange juice.
• Fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines, liver, and egg yolk
Note: Vitamin D is also available as tablets and injections (ask you doctor about them)
Daily recommendation of vitamin D
|
Daily recommendation for vitamin D |
|
From birth – 6 month
400 IU of vitamin D |
9 – 18 year
600 IU of vitamin D |
|
6 month – 1 year
400 IU of vitamin D |
19 – 50 years
600 IU of vitamin D |
|
1 year – 3 years
600 IU of vitamin D |
51 – 70 years
600 IU of vitamin D |
|
4 – 8 years
600 IU of vitamin D |
71 + years
800 IU of vitamin D |
|
Pregnant & lactating women |
|
15 – 18 years
600 IU of vitamin D |
19 – 50 years
600 IU of vitamin D |
Resources:
• Al Kaleej News paper – Wed – 14/12/2011
http://www.alkhaleej.ae/portal/ef210e2f-748b-4a7c-830a-58741c7fcc25.aspx
• Arab Health Exhibition 2012
http://www.menafn.com/arabic/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093465275&src=RSS
• A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002405.htm