Vitamin D deficiency linked to plethora of diseases

Experts reveal that only one in ten people get enough vitamin D.

14:23 15 December 2012

Experts are growing concern with the number of people who are catching different types of diseases because they do not get enough Vitamin D. According to their reports, diseases brought about by vitamin D deficiency affected about 183 people in 1995-1996. This figure has ballooned to 762 in the last 1-2 years.

As people do not get enough vitamin D from the sun and from the food that they eat, professional recommend taking vitamin D supplements. They are also looking into proposals for vitamin D fortification of food and drinks.

Meanwhile, the PCPCH is now producing leaflets for health care professional that highlights the signs of vitamin D deficiency to create awareness. It is expected to be published in spring 2013.

 

Professor Mitch Blair, Officer for Health Promotion at the RCPCH, said: “We know vitamin D deficiency is a growing problem – and localised research reveals startling high levels of vitamin deficiency amongst certain groups including children.

 

“People can only get a fraction of their recommended daily amount of vitamin D through food and very little from sunlight. So getting out in the sun more or eating more oily fish isn’t going to solve the problem.

 

"Lack of vitamin D is related to a plethora of serious illnesses in children and adults that could be prevented through relatively simple steps such as taking supplements.”