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VITAMIN D3 - LIQUID FOR CHILDREN

Vitamin D Deficiency - A Common Problem in all Age Groups

Vitamin D is not really a vitamin because it is synthesized by the skin following exposure to sunlight. Synthesis of vitamin D depends upon a wide number of factors including the type of ultraviolet light as well as the intensity, duration of exposure, skin pigmentation, age, altitude, latitude, hour of day and time of year.

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread across all population groups. Most physicians recognize that the elderly population is at risk, however it is less appreciated that children, young adults and middle age groups are also at risk of being deficient. Studies have shown that children in areas ranging from Madrid, Spain to Maine, New York were approximately 50% deficit in vitamin D in the winter months. Apart from those who live in equilateral regions, most people do not synthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D. For instance, in Edmonton, which is 52N, vitamin D synthesis is impaired from October through to March.

Vitamin D for Children

The most well known role of vitamin D is its involvement in maintaining healthy bones. In children, vitamin D is essential for the proper growth and development of bones, and deficiency can result in rickets. Vitamin D is critical for bone health because it is required for the efficient utilization of dietary calcium. If vitamin D levels are too low, the body will begin to break down the bones to access calcium stores. Research has shown that vitamin D supplementation early in life leads to higher bone mineral density (BMD) at 7-9 years of age, and that adolescents with low vitamin D levels have lower BMD.

Vitamin D is also important in the function of muscles. Research has shown that young girls (12-14 years old) with higher vitamin D levels demonstrate greater muscle power than those with lower levels.

Vitamin D supplementation is also important during pregnancy and at very young ages, as inadequate vitamin D levels early in life have been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, breathing disorders and type 1 diabetes later in life. For example, infants receiving 2000IU of vitamin D in the first year of life were 80% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes. There may also be a link between vitamin D and autism, as autism is much more prevalent in areas of low sunlight. Vitamin D has also been shown to play a role in immunity, and may help to prevent placental infections during pregnancy.