Mindy Duran

Nutrient report

Vitamin D
Many people believe that Calcium is the most important nutrient that you need
to consume; however, in order to your body to even absorb Calcium you must
consume vitamin D as well. In the article titled Nutrition, Health and Schoolchildren
written by E. Weichselbaum and J. Buttriss, they state that it has been estimated that
gut calcium absorption is increased to 30-40% of intake with adequate vitamin D
status compared with a 10-15% absorption without adequate vitamin D
(Weichselbaum). There are two different forms of vitamin D: first, vitamin D2 which is
made by plants; and second, vitamin D3 which is made by the human skin when it is
exposed to natural sunlight (Drugs and supplements). Very few foods are natural
sources of this nutrient; however, the American diet has fortified foods so they can
carry both the vitamin D2 and/or vitamin D3 in order to provide additional vitamin D to
the consumer. The most common way for people to get this nutrient is by production
from the body, this is done when your skin absorbs direct sunlight. Vitamin D is not
produced if you get sunlight through a window. Some older people and young babies
that are only breast-fed do not produce as much vitamin D through sunlight exposure
so it is very important for them to get this nutrient through foods and supplements. On
the National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements website, there is an
article on vitamin D where the author states that People who avoid the sun or who
cover their bodies with sunscreen or clothing should include good sources of vitamin
D in their diets or take a supplement. Recommended intakes of vitamin D are set on

the assumption of little sun exposure. This nutrient has been found to help muscles
in the body move, it helps nerves carry messages between the brain and other parts
of the body, as well as helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and
viruses (Quickfacts). This nutrient along with calcium also helps to prevent
osteoporosis in older adults, it can help with oral health when it comes to dental
caries and periodontal disease.
In the article Vitamin D and Dental Caries in Controlled Clinical Trials:
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis written by Philippe P Hujoel, he states that
there have been links between vitamin D and the risk of dental caries. He stated that
The hypothesized mechanism by which vitamin D decreased dental caries included
better tooth development, better dentinal mineralization responses to caries
throughout life and a topical fluoride-like effect. He also stated that this systematic
review of (controlled clinical trials) CCTs suggests that supplemental vitamin D was
associated with a 47% reduced risk of caries (Hujoel). With this information, I believe
that it is very important to provide adequate amounts of vitamin D along with calcium
to children starting at a young age to help with the building of proper bone structure;
however, adequate amounts of both of these nutrients can also be very helpful when
it comes to prevention of periodontal disease.
In the article Vitamin D and Periodontal Disease on the website
vitamindcouncil.org, the author states that people with lower vitamin D levels had
more attachment loss than people with higher vitamin D levels. It also states that
there are a number of diseases that are linked to low vitamin D levels, which include:
cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and osteoporosis (Grant).

Now that I have talked about what vitamin D does, let us talk about what would
happen if someone was to get too little or too much of this nutrient.
When a child does not get enough of this nutrient they are at risk of developing
Rickets, this is when the bones become soft and can bend. This is a rare condition
and most commonly occurs in African-American infants and children. If there is a
deficiency of vitamin D in adults, they are at risk of developing Osteomalacia, this is
when there is pain in the bone as well as muscle weakness. This happens in both
cases because the lack of vitamin D along with the lack of absorption of Calcium
causes soft, thin and brittle bones. The levels of vitamin D that your body needs
changes depending on your age along with a few other factors.
The article on the National Institutes of Health website states that the safe
upper limit of vitamin D is 1,000 to 1,500 IU/day for infants and 2,500 to 3,000 IU/day
for children 1-8 years and 4,000 IU/day for children older than nine years, adults,
including pregnant and/or lactating teens and women. Due to the fact that there are
so many different types of sources to get vitamin D, the best measure is to check the
blood levels of a form known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Levels below 12 ng/mL are too
low, where levels above 50ng/mL are too high, levels of 20ng/mL or above are
considered to be sufficient for most individuals. Young people tend to have higher
blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than older people, and males have higher levels
than females. When considering race, non-Hispanic whites have higher levels than
non-Hispanic blacks which have the lowest levels. Men and women should talk to
their healthcare providers about their needs and how to prevent and treat
osteoporosis. Some studies suggest that vitamin D may protect against colon cancer

and perhaps even cancers of the prostate and breast; however, they have also
shown that higher levels of vitamin D in the blood have also been linked to higher
rates of pancreatic cancer In the article on the website it continues to state that there
has not been enough research to determine whether low vitamin D status increases
cancer risk and whether higher levels protect or even increase risk in some people
(Quickfacts).
So, what might happen if someone was to get too much vitamin D? Well, with
vitamin D3 (which you get from the sun) there is a possibility of too much sun exposure
leading to cancer. As far as the vitamin D2 (which you get from plants), an excess in the
blood can cause signs of toxicity which includes nausea, vomiting, poor appetite,
constipation, weakness, and weight loss. If the blood levels of calcium are raised too
much vitamin D can lead to confusion, disorientation, and problems with heart rhythm
excess can also cause damage to the kidneys. Toxicity only occurs from supplements,
sun exposure will not cause toxicity because the human body limits the amount of
vitamin D that it produces. Vitamin D is the same as all other nutrients and/or
supplements you may take, where it may interact or interfere with any other medications
or supplements you may be taking. It is important to be cautious and aware of all
supplements you are taking and to be sure none of them will have adverse effects with
each other.

Works Cited

Grant, William B., Ph D. "Information on the Latest Vitamin D News and

Research." Vitamin D Council. Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center
(SUNARC). Web. 13 May 2014.
Hujoel, Philippe P. Vitamin D And Dental Caries In Controlled Clinical Trials:
Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Nutrition Reviews 71.2 (2013): 88-97.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 May 2014.
"Vitamin D." - Drugs and Supplements. N.p., 01 Nov. 2013. Web. 12 May 2014.
"Vitamin D." QuickFacts. N.p., 24 June 2011. Web. 12 May 2014.
Weichselbaum, E., and J. Buttriss. Nutrition, Health And Schoolchildren. Nutrition
Bulletin 36.3 (2011): 295-355. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 May 2014.