Q: Do I need to be concerned about getting enough vitamin D?
A: Vitamin D deficiency remains common in children, adolescents and adults. More than half of elderly men and women may be deficient in vitamin D. In the wintertime, vitamin D stores decline. Without vitamin D, only 10 to 15 percent of dietary calcium is absorbed. An important source of vitamin D is sunlight and ultraviolet rays, which activate the body’s stores of vitamin D. Very few foods contain vitamin D; however, fortified milk, fatty fish, cod-liver oil and eggs contain significant amounts of the vitamin. Consequences of vitamin D deficiency are significant. Low levels contribute to the development of osteoporosis and may increase the risk of fractures and falls by causing muscle weakness. It is also thought a low level of vitamin D may decrease your immune function and even may be associated with colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. Some studies have even found an association between high blood pressure and vitamin D deficiency. If you are concerned about your own risk of having vitamin D deficiency, consume more foods that have vitamin D and talk to your doctor.
— Dr. Monica Gefter,
Academic Internal Medicine;
member, Chattanooga-Hamilton
County Medical Society
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