Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins in the body responsible for the balance of minerals in the body, especially calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin D enhances the absorption of minerals in the intestine, prevents excessive loss of these minerals in the kidneys, and controls the entry and exit of minerals into and out of the bones.
In addition, vitamin D helps in the process of regulating cell growth, and also works to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and increase the activity of the immune system.
The most important sources of vitamin D
Sources of vitamin D include the following
Endogenous production in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation
The raw material 7-Dehydrocholesterol (7-Dehydrocholesterol) is transformed into some intermediate compounds and ultimately transformed into Vitamin D.
Some types of foods
Vitamin D is found in foods that come from animals and plants, such as the following
Liver.
yolk.
fish oil.
It is recommended to consume 400-600 IU of vitamin D, and this amount can also be provided by exposure to the sun.
Important information about vitamin D
Vitamin D is a family of steroid hormones, and must undergo several changes in both the liver and kidneys before it is functionally ready.
These changes include the following
In the liver, the vitamin undergoes a hydroxylation process, resulting in hydroxyvitamin D25 (D25).
The vast majority of vitamin D is transformed into this compound, and the determination of this substance in the blood reflects the state of vitamin D in the body.
The vitamin undergoes an additional hydroxylation process in the kidneys to obtain dihydroxyvitamine D 1,25, which is the active compound of vitamin D in the body.
Women and vitamin D
Low estrogen levels in postmenopausal women negatively affect the production of minerals in the body, which may increase the possibility of osteoporosis.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include the following
Chronic fatigue.
Chronic and persistent pain in various organs of the body.
Autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
Osteoporosis.
Increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Causes and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency
Causes of vitamin D deficiency include
Malnutrition.
Lack of adequate exposure to sunlight
Reduced ability to absorb vitamin D in the intestine.
The efficiency of self-production of vitamin D decreases with age.
Liver diseases.
Kidney failure.
Genetic diseases that affect vitamin D production.
People most at risk of vitamin D deficiency
There is a group of people who are most susceptible to vitamin D deficiency, as follows
Older people.
People suffering from obesity.
Breastfeeding women.
People who live in cold areas.
People with some diseases, such as: cystic fibrosis, and some inflammatory diseases of the intestine (Crohn''s disease).
Complications of vitamin D deficiency
Complications of vitamin D deficiency include the following
Osteoporosis causes severe deformities of the skeleton and limb bones, especially in children.
Muscle and bone weakness.
Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed through a blood test that helps determine the levels of the vitamin in the blood.
Treatment of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can be treated through the following
Exposure to sunlight.
Eat foods rich or fortified with vitamin D.
Take pills containing the vitamin.
Intravenous vitamin injection.
Preventing vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can be prevented by ensuring good amounts of exposure to the sun, and eating foods that contain good amounts of it.
