Vitamin D is a hormone produced in the skin under the effect of sun light. The hormone is produced from pre vitamin D in the skin and activated under the influence of ultraviolet sun rays.
The hormone is subsequently activated in liver and finally in kidney. Vitamin D has many well known and some recently discovered beneficial effects. Bone effects of vitamin D include absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gut, incorporation of these minerals in the bone.
Vitamin D deficiency if occurring in childhood causes a bone disease where bones fail to grow properly, severe form of the disease is known in medical terms as rickets. Vitamin D deficiency if severe enough in adults comes to medical attention as fractures of different severities, in adults the disorder is known as osteomalacia. This is the tip of the iceberg; mild vitamin deficiency causes non specific symptoms of aches and pains in the adults especially women.
In addition to the predominant effects of vitamin D on bone, it has many extra skeletal effects. These include prevention of type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and cancer prevention.
IS VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY COMMON?
Vitamin D deficiency is common throughout the world. The deficiency is more common in people with dark complexion like those living in India. Kashmir valley because of the weather conditions also has high prevalence of vitamin deficiency. Studies from the SKIMS have revealed that Vitamin D deficiency is common in all ages including pregnant mothers and children
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