Vitamin D

New Studies Reveal Importance of Vitamin D in Kids

Did you know that a "lack of vitamin D puts kids at increased risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, infection, and other possible health problems in adulthood."

Yes, according to two new studies, millions of U.S. children have extremely low vitamin D levels, and that "lack is tied to heart and diabetes risks."

In fact, some observers say that a lack of vitamin D in their childhoods may partly explain the epidemic of these diseases among adults in North America.

From an article posted in the vitalchoice newsletter, this information surprise some people, however, for many nutritional experts, this is not a big surprise.

The first study reveals that there is a "vitamin D shortfall" that is "common in kids and teens." The study showed that "9 percent of children aged 1 through 21 - about 7.6 million children, adolescents and young adults ? have vitamin D levels considered deficient. And another 61 percent - 50.8 million kids - have vitamin D levels that are higher but still deemed insufficient" (Kumar J et al 2009).

From the final analysis of the study of more than 6,000 children, girls, adolescents, and people with darker skin had the "lowest vitamin D levels." The final results were that " 59 percent of African American teenage girls deemed vitamin D deficient."

In the second study shows that kids, deficient in vitamin D are at risk of heart disease, and diabetes. The team conducting the study found that "adolescents with the lowest D levels had more than double the risk of having high blood pressure and blood sugar and about four times the risk for the metabolic syndrome."

The team also concluded that "low serum [blood] vitamin D [levels] in US adolescents is strongly associated with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and metabolic syndrome, independent of adiposity (excess body fat)." (Reis JP et al. 2009)

As this new evidence poured in from the leading vitamin D researchers, parents are urged to ask their doctors to test their children's vitamin D levels. That does ot come as a big surprise, since vitamin D is one of those often overlooked important vitamins. And these studies show proof that vitamin D is just as important as previously thought to be.

There's also a request from these researchers suggesting that children increase their intake of vitamin D from food and supplements, and also make sure they spend more time in the sun.

"Vitamin D researchers universally point to ample evidence that the U.S. recommended daily allowances for vitamin D (400 IU) is much too low to maintain healthy levels among kids in northern latitudes, and especially in darker-skinned teens."

Man doctors suggest drinking more milk, some even suggest drinking 10 glasses of milk per day, one of the earlier recommended sources of vitamin D. However, "supplements and fatty fish are both much higher in vitamin D than milk, and fish such as wild sockeye salmon (687 IU per 3.5 oz serving) offer the benefits of very high protein and omega-3 content as well." [3]

If your child suffers from vitamin D deficiency, or you're just looking for a better means of getting this all important vitamin, TriVita's VitaCal-Mag D may be right for your child. Before taking any supplements, always check with your health care professional or doctor.

To learn more about TriVita's VitaCal-Mag D, go to http://trivitaproduct.info and click on the Vitamin D link.

Jeffrey Sloe
440-725-3729
jeff@internetmarketingadvisors.net
TriVita Independent Business Affiliate, 12871028

Sources:
[1] Kumar J et al. Prevalence and Associations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency in US Children: NHANES 2001–2004. Pediatrics. Published online August 3, 2009. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0051
[2] Reis JP et al. Vitamin D Status and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in the United States Adolescent Population. Pediatrics. Published online August 3, 2009. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0213.
[3] http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com/e_article001512677.cfm?x=bfT6hQ1,bfv5gTb0

 

Vitamin D

Throughout history, there have been many theories regarding the healing process that have come and gone. Sunlight (heliotherapy) was often a part of mankind's healing armamentaria, including that of Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine. In the early twentieth century, heliotherapy was used to treat many disorders, such as tuberculosis, rickets in children, and war wounds. Its importance was underscored when Dr. Niels Finsen was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize for developing an ultraviolet (UV) treatment for tuberculosis.

Sunlight is composed of electromagnetic radiation of varying wavelengths, ranging from the long-wavelength infrared light to the short-wavelength ultraviolet. The ultraviolet light is further subdivided into UVA and the even shorter-wavelength UVB radiation. Although UVB causes sunburns, it is also the component that initiates Vitamin-D production in the skin.

The process by which vitamin D is produced and exerts its biological effects is complicated, involving several vitamin-D-related molecules.

Basically, UVB light triggers a modification of a cholesterol-related molecule located in the membrane of skin cells. The vitamin D that is created is then ejected from the membrane into our circulation system, where it travels to the liver. In this organ, it is transformed into 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the derivative that doctors use to assess overall vitamin-D status.

There a few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, the most abundant being oily fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel, or old-fashioned, cod liver oil. Because of limited natural sources, numerous foods, such as milk, are vitamin-D fortified.

Many scientists now believe we need 1,000 IU per day of vitamin D (IU = international units, a measure of vitamin potency) to avoid deficiency. For reference, a salmon serving contains about 360 IU, a glass of fortified milk about 100 IU, an egg 25 IU, and a tablespoon of cod liver oil 1300+ IU.

Although everyone is vulnerable to vitamin-D deficiency, especially in winter, certain groups are particularly predisposed. First, when exposed to the same amount of sunlight, elderly individuals produce only 20% of the vitamin-D young adults do. As a result, more than half of individuals older than 65 are vitamin-D deficient.

Second, due to their skin pigmentation, African Americans require much more sun to produce the same levels of vitamin D than do fair-skinned Caucasians. At least 50% of African Americans, who are also less likely to drink fortified milk due to lactose intolerance, are vitamin-D deficient sometime during the year. Apparently, as a consequence, they have a much greater incidence of disorders associated with reduced sun exposure of northern latitudes.

Since vitamin D is so important, and most of us DO NOT get enough sunlight, especially those of us who live in the northeastern section of the US, supplements may be the answer. Like all supplements, first check with your doctor, or health professional before taking them.

To learn more about TriVita's VitaCal-Mag D, go to http://trivitaproduct.info and click on the Vitamin D link.

Jeffrey Sloe
440-725-3729
jeff@internetmarketingadvisors.net
TriVita Independent Business Affiliate, 12871028

Resources:
Content of this article is taking from and article written by Laurance Johnston, Ph.D., called SUNLIGHT, VITAMIN D & HEALTH. You can read the entire article by going to http://www.healingtherapies.info/Sunlight&VitaminD.htm.