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
