Discuss the diseases related to lack of vitamin D?

 Vitamin D;

A fat-soluble vitamin D (calciferol) can be produced by the body from its own precursor 7- dehydrocholesterol, which is formed in the liver from cholesterol the presence of sunlight. It is found in two important forms: one is animal derived i.e vitamin

D3 (cholecalciferol) and the other is plant derived i. e vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).






It play a vital role in bone growth and mineralization by increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the digestive tract. The RDA of vitamin D is 15 micro g/day for adult.

Vitamin D deficiency: Persistent low intake of vitamin D result in its deficiency that can lead to slow production of calcium binding proteins in the intestinal cells, consequently resulting in calcium deficiency. 

Following are the diseases and symptoms exhibited during vitamin D deficiency.

Rickets: ''A bones disorder caused by deficiency of vitamin D . calcium, or phosphate characterized by the inadequate mineralization of bones''. Rickets is associated with different bones deformities that are presented below;

a) Frontal bossing is referred to ''an unusually prominent forehead. It is occasionally associated with a heavier than normal brow ridge''.

b) Parietal bossing is characterized by ''marked prominence in the parietal region that is located near center of brain and behind the frontal lobe''.

c) Bowlegs is ''a condition in which a person's legs appear bowed out 'meaning their knees stay wide apart even when their ankles are together''.

d) Knock knees are ''angular deformities at the knee, in which whose knees touch but whose ankle do not is usually said to have knock knees''.

e)Thorax deformities are marked by ''abnormal development and appearance of the chest and vary from mild to severe.

These deformities are congenital and may be apparent at birth or later in child hood''.

f) Epiphyseal enlargement: ''inflammation of epiphyseal''

Epiphyseal is ''the chiefly hyaline cartilage that unites an epiphysis (pineal or end part of long bone that grows separately from the shaft) with the shaft (midsection or diaphysis) of a long bone and is the site where the bone grows in length''.

g) Open fontanelle:  ''opening of the fontanelle''

''the fontanelle is a location on atop of the skull where all of the skull plates join. it is equivalent to the soft spot at the top center of a human body's head''.

h) Craniotabes: ''the softening and thinning of the skull in infants and children. it seen in the occipital and parietal bones of new -bones and result and collapse under pressure''.

i) Hypotonia: another  term used for hypotonia is 'floppy baby syndrome' and is identified by the ''state of low muscles tone (the amount of tension or resistance to stretch in a muscle) often involving reduced muscle strength''.

Osteomalacia: Also called adult rickets is characterized ''the softening of the bones''. woman having low calcium intake and less exposure to sun are more vulnerable to osteocalcin.

  Osteoporosis is "a condition of reduced bone density" that is cause by the failure of vitamin D synthesis in a body or its absorption for the food that set a stage for calcium loss from the bones resulting in fractures.                            

Vitamin D toxicity: Nutrients in optimal accounts support health but both inadequacy and excess can cause complication. An excessive amount vitamins D has toxic effects and exhibits different signs and symptoms in the body. vitamin D toxicity is marked by following expressions or disorders:

    1) Hypervitaminosis DA rare but serious condition is the consequent of excessive intake of vitamin D through supplements.

 2) Hypercalcemia (high blood calcium): An excessive intake of vitamin D increase the blood calcium level, which result in stones formation in the soft tissues. High calcium level in blood may cause hardening of the blood vessels.

  3) Neurological problems: Loss of appetite, headache, excessive, thirst, irritability and apathy.

  4)Muscular problems: muscle weakness, joint pain and fatigue.

 5)Digestive tissues: Nausea and vomiting.

  6)Excretory symptoms: increased excretion of calcium in urine and kidney stones.

Source of vitamin D;


Sunlight: Our bodies can produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB) light. However, factors like the time of day, the season, your geographical location, and the melanin content of your skin can all affect how much vitamin D you produce.


Fatty Fish: Fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are high in vitamin D. Tuna and eel can also be good sources.


Cod Liver Oil: This is a very potent source of vitamin D, though it's also high in vitamin A, which can be harmful in large amounts.


Fortified Foods: Many foods are fortified with vitamin D. This can include certain types of milk, orange juice, yogurt, and cereals.


Egg Yolks: While not as rich in vitamin D as fish or cod liver oil, eggs do provide some vitamin D.


Beef Liver: This is another food source that contains vitamin D, although it's also high in cholesterol and should be eaten in moderation.


Cheese: Certain types of cheese, including Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of vitamin D.


Mushrooms: Certain types of mushrooms can provide vitamin D, especially when exposed to sunlight. However, the type of vitamin D found in mushrooms is D2, which may not raise blood levels of vitamin D as efficiently as the D3 form found in animal-based sources.


Remember, even though your body can produce vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, you should still take precautions to protect your skin from the harmful effects of too much sun exposure, such as skin cancer. It's always important to balance your need for vitamin D with your need for sun protection

Benefit of vitamin D;

It is good for healthy bones

Its intake reduce flue risk

It help in losing weight

It also help in prevented cancer

It help in proper absorption mineral

It reduce the diabetes risk

It help us boost immunity

It helps to treat osteomalacia

It help control phosphate and calcium level in the body


Discuss the diseases related to lack of vitamin D?

Write symptoms of deficiency of vitamin D?

Discuss toxicity of vitamin D?

Can vitamin D causes toxicity?

Can vitamin Deficiency causes illness?

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