Vitamins; They are molecules that have important functions in many situations such as growth, development, energy metabolism, regulation of the immune system. Vitamin D is a molecule that strengthens the bones by maintaining the calcium and phosphate balance in the body. In addition to this task, vitamin D can also show its effect by acting as a hormone. As an example, the effect of vitamin D on cell proliferation can be given. Most vitamins cannot be produced in the body and must be taken from the outside, but vitamin D can be synthesized in the body. It is produced in the skin from a precursor substance called cholesterol under sufficient sunlight at the appropriate wavelength. It goes through certain stages in the kidney and liver to be converted to its more active form. It shows its effect after transforming into its active form.
What Does Vitamin D Do?
Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium from the intestines and plays a role in the mineralization of bones. It also takes part in cell growth and differentiation. There are studies on regulating the immune system and reducing inflammation.
What Foods Have Vitamin D?
Most of the vitamin D needed by the body is synthesized in the skin under the influence of sunlight. In addition, some of the vitamin D needs are met from the foods consumed. Foods rich in Vitamin D:
- Fish oil
- Red meat
- Egg yolk
- Milk and dairy products
- Products enriched with vitamins (such as breakfast cereal).
How Many Should Normal Vitamin D Be?
Measured serum hydroxy-25 D A vitamin D level of 12 ng/ml is considered vitamin D deficiency. While 12-20 ng/ml is considered low in vitamin D in children, less than 30 ng/ml in adults is considered low. A serum level of 100-150 ng/ml and above indicates intoxication, that is, excessive vitamin D concentration. International Unit),
Rasitzm (rickets): It is the uneven mineralization of the cartilage tissue that enables bone growth in children. Insufficient level of vitamin D reduces the absorption of calcium from the intestine. Accordingly, the cartilage tissue that needs to ossify with the help of calcium and phosphorus minerals during the development period cannot perform this transformation. Growth stalls. Long bones are curved. Rickets has signs other than bone. Serious problems may occur due to low calcium concentration in the blood. Measurement of calcium, phosphorus, ALP (alkaline phosphatase) levels in the blood, and wrist X-ray are among the methods that can be used in the diagnosis of rickets. It is a disease that should be recognized and diagnosed in childhood. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent skeletal deformities and conditions such as anemia due to insufficient bone marrow.
Osteomalacia: It can be considered as the adult form of rickets. It covers mineralization disorders that occur after bone growth is completed.
Frequent infections: Since vitamin D plays a role in the regulation of the immune system, the person becomes vulnerable to infections in its deficiency.
Bone and back pain: In people with vitamin D deficiency, it takes place in the legs, ribs and joints. The probability of pain in the bones that have taken place has increased compared to normal.
Bone loss: As bone mass decreases as we get older, the need for vitamin D increases with advancing age. When the increasing need is not adequately met, it leads to bone loss.
Hair loss: It is a common problem in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Muscle pain:
Depression: Depression of vitamin D deficiency Although there are some studies showing that it is related to it, a definite relationship has not been demonstrated yet.
Fatigue: There can be many reasons for feeling tired. It can be said that the decreased level of vitamin D causes fatigue and therefore a negative effect on the quality of life. not very rich. For this reason, it would be good for breastfed babies to benefit from sunlight by being properly protected from the harmful effects of the sun and to take vitamin D supplements. Since the vitamin D in breast milk is also related to the mother's vitamin D level, the lactating mother should also be careful about vitamin D. The mother's consumption of foods rich in vitamins ensures that the amount of vitamins in her milk is high. Vitamin D is very important for this age group, as babies are in the fastest period of growth and development.
Advanced Age: As age progresses, the capacity of the skin to synthesize vitamin D decreases. Elderly people may not be able to benefit from sunlight effectively as they usually go out less. In case of deficiency in these people, the likelihood of problems such as hip fracture increases. In women, the risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) increases with the combination of problems such as postmenopausal hormone changes and vitamin D deficiency caused by age. Since they cannot receive light, they enter the risky group for vitamin D deficiency.
Dark Skin: As the skin color gets darker, the amount of the pigment called melanin in the skin increases. This pigment reduces the skin's capacity to produce vitamins. Accordingly, people with dark skin are at higher risk of deficiency. Vitamin D is also a fat-soluble vitamin. Intestinal problems also cause a decrease in fat absorption. In this case, the solubility of vitamin D and absorption is reduced. It is recommended that people with intestinal disease take vitamin D measurements and take supplements when necessary.
How to Fix Vitamin D Deficiency?
If vitamin D deficiency does not cause serious symptoms and serum 25-dihydroxy vitamin D level If it is low near the limit, the problem can be resolved by consuming foods rich in vitamin D in the diet and taking vitamin D supplements. However, vitamin D deficiency, especially in the early stages of life, can lead to serious problems. In this case, it is very important to treat the patient's vitamin D deficiency. In children with vitamin D deficiency:
- If less than 3 months old, 2000 IU of vitamin D per day for 90 days,
- 2000 IU per day or single dose for 90 days at 3-12 months old 50,000 IU of vitamin D in the form of
- , 3000-6000 IU for 90 days in the 1-12 age group or 100,000 IU in a single dose,
- 6000 IU for 90 days in those older than 12 years of age or by giving a single dose of 150,000 IU of vitamin D. These are the therapeutic doses. In addition, daily maintenance doses should be added.
ampoule of vitamin D contains 150,000 IU of vitamin D. There are 150 IU of vitamin in one drop. Babies are given about 3 drops per day. Support continues until 1 year of age. To date, more than 15 million babies have been supported. In the study conducted by the Ministry of Health, the rate of vitamin D deficiency was found to be 80% in mothers and approximately 40% in infants. These figures reveal how important the vitamin D supplementation is.
What is Vitamin D Excess?
The toxic dose of vitamin D varies from person to person. Excessive exposure to sunlight does not cause excess vitamin D. Toxicity usually occurs as a result of unnecessarily high-dose vitamin D administration at one time for therapeutic purposes. If the serum 25-dihydroxy vitamin D level is above a certain level, it causes some effects. It may have non-specific symptoms such as eating disorders, weight loss, frequent urination, and heart arrhythmias.
The most important effects are staying in the blood. occurs due to an increase in the sodium level. High calcium levels cause calcification in vessels and tissues. Blood pressure rises due to occlusion of the calcified vessels. Clogging of the heart vessels can lead to events leading to a heart attack. In the kidneys, stone formation may occur due to the effect of excess calcium. These effects should be considered while taking vitamin D supplements, and the required dose should not be exceeded by consulting a specialist.
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