Rickets still occurs in dark¬skinned infants who are exclusively fed on breast milk.Cod-liver oil and sunshine exposure were recognised as the cures for rickets in the late 19th century. There are two types of physiologically important vitamin D: cholecalci¬ferol (D3) and ergocalciferol (D2). D3 is synthesised in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol in cell membranes upon…
Read moreThis is a good review by Oudshoorn et al on the important subject of vitamin D in the elderly.Vitamin D is a pleiotropic hormone. Besides the effects on classical tissues like bone and intestine, vitamin D has an effect on many more tissues. Effects of vitamin D metabolites can occur via endocrine, paracrine or autocrine…
Read moreAn adequate vitamin D status is of major importance for bone health. And is dependent on adequate vitamin D intake and sun exposure. Fish is the only natural important dietary sources of vitamin D. Milk, some milk products and cereals are supplemented to different degrees depending on the country, with a much higher degree of…
Read moreThe American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended doubling its recommended dose of vitmin D for infants, children and adolescents to 400 IU daily. Clinical trials show that this dosage gives protection against rickets , boots immunity and reduces osteoporosis in later life.
Read moreThis paper Andersen et al ( 2008 ) Pakistani immigrant children and adults in Denmark have severely low vitamin D status Eur J Clin Nutr 62: 625-634is an important paper in that here is further underlining of th need to monitor the health of immigrants . Especially in this case where the climate is so…
Read moreVitamin D health and illness.Susan Mayor in the BMJ 12 JANUARY 2008 VOLUME 336 page 62 Vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone disease .Two recent studies show that lack of the vitamin D also increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to poorer prognosis for some cancers.A follow-up study of 1739 offspring…
Read moreMany people use sunscreens to protect themselves and their children against the most lethal effects of UVR. Unsettlingly, data so far have failed to show that the use of sunscreen protects against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer (see page 851). This and associated controversies have produced responses tanging from deep epidemioiogical curiosity to…
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