Why Is Nutrition Important?» vitamin D deficiency

So what about vitamin D supplements? Vitamin D Deficiency

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:58:08 +0000

Professor Rebecca Mason says that in Australia more and more research is coming out pointing to the fact that vitamin D is very important. She says that today we can access more information on the optimal levels of Vitamin D for good health. ‘While Australia currently advises 50nmol/L of blood, or higher to allow for a 10-20 nmol/L decrease over winter, similar to official policy in the US, some groups in US are suggesting closer to 80 nmol/L. ‘Vitamin D supplements (click here) are suitable for people who are advised not to go outside
people with sun-sensitive skin and people who are immuno suppressed,’ says Professor Mason. More info!

It has been shown that people with dark skin need as much as six times the amount of vitamin D from the sun as compared to people with lighter skin. This is the reason why supplementation of vitamin D is important as people don’t have the time to stay out in the sun for such extended periods of time. Busy lifestyles and people being lazy can contribute why this may not occur.

Medication may hamper Vitamin D absorption into the body as it could slow down the metabolism of vitamin D and prevent it being absorbed. This could also lead to a risk of vitamin D deficiency.

For More Information please go to:

For more information:
The vitamin D deficiency Guide: http://www.vitaminddeficiencyguide.com/
Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (US): Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D
Cancer Council: http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/VitaminD.htm
Sun Smart app for iPhones andiPad: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/sunsmart/id402707467?mt=8

Why is there a deficiency of Vitamins D in human?

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:02:47 +0000

Professor Mason explains, ‘Now, we use a target value for vitamin D based on a concentration of vitamin D where most bone and muscle function is close to normal. This is a bit higher than the figure we used to use’.

People do not go out in the sun these days, especially older people. This is a high risk group of individuals. They don’t get the required amount of vitamin D as they are not exposed to sunlight long enough.

People who have darker skin are also vulnerable to have lower Vitamin D as the melanin does not absorb the vitamin D and cannot convert or converts less into vitamin D from the sunlight. People who cover themselves with a lot of clothing as well as obese people can suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Fat people absorb the Vitamin D into the fat cells but then the Vitamin D gets trapped in the fat cells and cannot escape out and do its job. The fat has to be broken down before the vitamins D can be of any help to the body. Loosing weight and weight management helps with vitamin D absorption. People who work long works in doors or play a lot of indoor sports or work at computers also suffer from lack of this vitamin.

People with osteoporosis and babies of mothers who are low in vitamin D especially if they are being breast-fed also fall into the high risk group for vitamin D deficiency.

The United States recently increased the recommended daily intake of vitamin D in order to reach optimum blood levels of the vitamin. Our last NHMRC recommendations were made around a decade ago and are currently being looked at and it looks like the recommended daily levels of vitamin D are set to rise.

According to Professor Mason, ‘Most people agree that the minimum acceptable vitamin D level is 50 nmol/L (this is what is recommended on the basis that at this level, bone and muscle function is close to normal and so is the handling of calcium by the body).

‘It is also the minimum level recommended by the AustNZ Bone and Mineral Society, the Endocrine Society of Australia, the Endocrine Society (USA) and the Institute of Medicine USA. Some groups recommend even higher levels, with some, though not conclusive evidence.’

How Does Low Vitamin Impact on Our Bodies

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 06:40:59 +0000

Suprisingly low levels in Australasia | Is Vitamin D Low In Your Body?

It is known the low Vitamin D levels were seen in cold countries that experienced long winters and more dark days as seen in the extreme northern hemisphere. Sunshine or the lack of it was the reason why levels of Vitamin D were found to be low.

vitamin d deficiency signs and symptoms:

Interestingly it has been seen that even in Australia, a country full of sunshine, Vitamin D levels were alarmingly low. Except for pains, aches or tiredness the deficiency of Vitamin D is hard to track visibly. It is only when severe vitamin D deficiency is present will we notice people suffering from it. major symptoms are bone deformities and intense pain.

Immediate Past-President of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Professor Rebecca Mason estimates that around a third of the population is vitamin D deficiency.

‘From a large Australian study (AusDiab), over 40 per cent of females have low levels in summer-autumn and 27 per cent of males and this figure rises to 58 per cent of females not having enough vitamin D in winter-spring, and 35% males at that time,’ she says.

Vitamin D your important supplement for calcium absorption

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:33:54 +0000

The Sunshine Vitamin!

Over the last decade the importance of vitamin D has become more significant and in the forefront of research. It has been common knowledge that vitamin D plays an important role in helping the body to absorb calcium and bone mineralisation. Limited dietary sources of vitamin D and insufficient sun exposure can contribute to vitamin D deficiencies.

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Knowing the importance of vitamin D and the fact that so many Australians and New Zealanders have a vitamin D deficiency means that it is essential that we are getting enough vitamin D at all times.