Vitamin D – Deficiency
Classic Deficiency Signs
Vitamin D plays a regulatory role with calcium levels in the blood stream. So it is not surprising that the most severe results of vitamin D deficiency are related to bone health. The following list includes diseases associated with severe vitamin D deficiency:
| Disease | Symptoms/Comments |
|---|---|
| Rickets | Softening of the bones. Considered a children’s disease. See Rickets |
| Osteomalacia | Softening of the bones. Similar to Rickets |
| Osteoporosis | Vitamin D deficiency contributes to it. |
Vitamin D Deficiency "Widespread", "Alarmingly High"
Vitamin D deficiency, or "hypovitaminosis D" is an existing issue in developed countries. Indeed, two recent publications called the problem of vitamin D deficiency "widespread".1,2 A study done in Britain on 45 year old adults said that rates of vitamin D deficiency in both minority groups and the general population were "alarmingly high" and warrants action at the population level.3 These are not trivial claims, and they call for a response from health agencies to either scientifically reject it or conform to it. It should be noted that the scientists in the British study used reference points for vitamin D blood indicator levels that were all greater than the current "adequate intake" level of 400 IU for an adult:
| Blood 25(OH)D Concentration | Roughly corresponds to IU intake for adults | Cutoff level based on |
|---|---|---|
| 25 nmol/L | 1000 IU | enough to prevent rickets and osteomalacia |
| 40 nmol/L | 1600 IU | "a lower reference concentration suggested to reflect the need for vitamin D supplementation according to most laboratories carrying out vitamin D assays"1 |
| 75 nmol/L | 3000 IU | currently research more and more points to this level to support optimal bone health |
Cancer, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, MS, Arthritis, Diabetes (the list actually goes on)!
One report mentioned the following as "health consequences" of hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D deficiency): osteoporosis, falls, increased cancer risk, and altered glucose and lipid metabolism.1 Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and at least some cancers, heart disease, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.4
See Also
Vitamin DCancer Vitamin D - Excess/Toxicity
Vitamin D - Foods
Vitamin D - How Much?
References
1. Cherniack EP, Levis S, Troen BR. Hypovitaminosis D: a widespread epidemic. Geriatrics. 2008 Apr;63(4):24-30.
2. Stroud ML, Stilgoe S, Stott VE, Alhabian O, Salman K. Vitamin D - a review. Aust Fam Physician. 2008 Dec;37(12):1002-5.
3. Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors. Hyppönen E, Power C. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 85, No. 3, 860-868, March 2007
4. Michael F Holick. Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 80, No. 6, 1678S-1688S, December 2004
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