Vitamin D Presentation by

Karina Lalaiants&

Inesa LegrianSCD200.4352

Professor: Nicolle Miller11/04/09

Vitamin D (Sunshine Vitamin)

• Vitamin D is commonly known as:• The “sunshine” vitamin. • Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) which is found in

plants. • Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) which can be

obtained from sunlight via our skin.

Functions of Vitamin D

• Vitamin D helps with increased Calcium absorption (small intestine) urinary calcium reabsorption (kidney) and Bone mineralization

• Helps with the travel of calcium and phosphorous in the blood

• Modulation of neuromuscular and immune function.

• Reduction of inflammation.

Deficiency Symptoms and Diseases

• Rickets and Osteomalacia are the classical vitamin D deficiency diseases

• Rickets, is characterized by a failure of bone tissue to properly mineralize, resulting in soft bones and skeletal deformities

• Osteomalacia, is characterized by fragile bones that significantly increases the risk of bone fractures

Deficiency Symptoms and Diseases

• Osteoporosis results from inadequate calcium intakes

• Vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of colon, prostate, and breast cancers hence, lack of this vitamin can trigger these diseases.

• Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with heart disease and hypertension

Healthy Food Sources of Vitamin D

• Some of the various food sources of Vitamin D are:

• Fatty fish, Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is found in yolk) fortified milk, cod liver oil, fortified orange juice, fortified cereals, mushrooms, fortified margarine, beef liver, swiss cheese.

• In addition, vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight and you can get sunlight for free by exposing your skin to the sun.

DRI for Vitamin D • Infants 0-6 months 5 (mcg) Micrograms• 7-12 months 5 (mcg) • Children 1-3 years 5 (mcg) • 4-8 years 5 (mcg) • Males 9-13 years 5 (mcg) • 14-18 years 5 19-30 years 5 (mcg) • 31-50 years 5 (mcg) • 51-70 years 10 (mcg) • > 70 years 15 (mcg)

DRI for Vitamin D

• Females 9-13 years 5 (mcg) • 14-18 years 5 (mcg) • 19-30 years 5 (mcg) • 31-50 years 5 (mcg) • 51-70 years 10 (mcg) • > 70 15 (mcg)

DRI for Vitamin D

• Pregnancy < 18 years 5 (mcg) • 19-30 years 5 (mcg) • 31-50 years 5 (mcg) • Lactation 18 years 5 (mcg) • 19-30 years 5 (mcg) • 31-50 years 5 (mcg)

DRI for Vitamin D

• 200 IU is equivalent to 5 mcg. • Margarine, fortified, 1 Tablespoon*****60 IU• Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 13/4

ounces*****250 IU• Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces*****200 IU• In order to meet the recommended DRI, we

will need to consume 60 IU of Margarine,

DRI for Vitamin D

• 2 ounces of Sardines = 40 IU• And 1.5 ounce of Tuna = 100 IU• A combination of these 3 foods and serving

sizes will meet the DRI for vitamin D within the children age group and age 50.

Facts about Vitamin D

• When exposed to sunlight (Ultraviolet Rays) , Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is absorbed via the skin by using 7 dehydrocholesterol (a crystalline steroid alcohol)

• Vitamin D is the most vital vitamin in the human body to boost the rate of absorption of the essential minerals calcium and phosphorus from the intestines.

References

• Nutrition An Applied Approach, Janice Thompson & Melinda Manore, 2009

• www.nutrition.org• www.eatright.org