Vitamin D - Which makes our Bones stronger
Vitamin D what it does and why you need it
Vitamin D is mandatory for the growth and strength of our skeletal system. Scientifically there are two types of Vitamin D – Vitamin D2 (calciferol) and Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol). After transforming into 1-25 DHCC in the kidneys, they act in the intestines to promote the absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus. In the bones, it stimulates normal mineralization and affects collagen maturation.
Sources of Vitamin D: -
Our body can synthesize vitamin D with the help of UV rays from sunlight. It is then stored in the skin in large quantity in the form of 7 – Dehydrocholesterol.
Among the dietary sources, Vitamin D is found in rich quantities in cheese, butter, egg yolk and in the liver of some sea fishes. Fish liver oils are the richest source of Vitamin D.
Some foods are fortified with Vitamin D like baby foods, milk and margarine.
Daily requirement of Vitamin D: -
| Adults (male and female) | 2.5 micrograms |
| Infants and children | 5.0 micrograms |
| Pregnant and lactating mother | 10.0 micrograms |
Vitamin D deficiency: -
Rickets are the major disease seen in a case of Vitamin D deficiency. It mostly occurs in young children between the age group 6 months to two years. There are deformities in the bones, general growth retardation, loose and lax muscles, and in severe cases, convulsions.
In adults, Vitamin D deficiency manifests as Osteomalacia – the condition where the bones become demineralized of calcium.