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Low Vitamin D linked to Health
Conditions and Hair Loss
“I’ve come
down with yet another winter virus and there’s still a month of
the season to endure.”
“I’m now
mid-life and the illnesses of old age loom large and concern me
– how can I avoid the ravages of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
disease, or brittle bones?”
These
seemingly disparate illnesses all have a common factor – they
are associated with Vitamin D deficiency in humans. Endemic
diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, ‘stroke’, heart
disease, depression, gum disease, seasonal influenza – as well
as certain forms of cancer, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis,
autism in children or body muscle mass wasting also share this
link.
The potential
to develop autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata,
vitiligo, psoriasis, & inflammatory bowel disease is believed to
increase with Vitamin D deficiency. The risk of skin cancer is –
paradoxically – decreased with adequate levels of Vitamin
D.
“But don’t we
get Vitamin D from the sun?”
Whilst
exposure to sunlight remains the most efficient & effective
means to maintain optimal Vitamin D levels, this is always
regularly possible for many people living in North America or
northern Europe. Winters are long, and even in the milder
seasons of spring & fall, it’s often still too chilly to be
outdoors with one’s upper body exposed.
Australians –
who have the world’s highest incidence of melanoma – now take
extraordinary precautions to avoid the sun. As a consequence
four out of five patients routinely tested show decreased
Vitamin D levels ranging from ‘insufficient’ to ‘severely
deficient’. Government health screening of nursing home
residents found extensive Vitamin D depletion among the elderly.
So what is
Vitamin D?
Vitamin D (as
Cholecalciferol) is synthesised from sunlight when our bare skin
is exposed to it. In a further conversion cascade involving
enzymes from the liver & kidneys, the active & most potent form
of Vitamin D – termed Calcitriol – is produced & stored
in the liver & to a lesser extent, the tissues of the body.
Although
commonly referred to as a ‘vitamin’, Calcitriol is a
biological response-modifying steroid hormone – considered
the most potent steroid hormone in the body.
Vitamin D is
essential for the active absorption of Calcium &
Phosphorus from the gut; regulating their utilisation within the
body. Vitamin D is also integral to the production & balance of
cells that constantly remodel our bones, the conversion of
inactive thyroid hormone to the active form which influences
every body cell, and aids in preventing Calcium and some other
minerals from being excreted via the kidneys.
How much do we
need?
In adult
requires around 4,000 International Units (IU) i.e. 100
micrograms of Vitamin D per day. Approximately 20-30 minutes of
strong sunlight on bare, non-sun screened skin – avoiding the
hottest part of the day - will produce approximately 20,000
IU of Vitamin D, and provide a ready reserve of stores.
Melanin is
conjugated in the skin to protect us against UV light. When a
level of 20,000 IU of Vitamin D is achieved, melanin combines
with ultra-violet light to (co-incidentally but purposely) limit
Vitamin D production; corrupting excess Cholecalciferol so it
cannot be further converted. According to Vieth (1999) there has
never been a substantiated case of Vitamin D toxicity from sun
exposure alone.
What food
sources provide Vitamin D?
Dietary
sources of Vitamin D are egg yolk; ‘oily’ fish such as
salmon & sardines, cod liver oil – or EPA/DHA nutritional
supplements, Vitamin D fortified bread & cereals, or milk. Be
mindful though a standard glass of milk will provide about
100 IU of Vitamin D only – so you’d need to drink 40 glasses
of milk per day to achieve 4,000 IU!
Who’s most at
risk to be Vitamin D deficient?
-
All folk who because of old
age, frailty, infirmity or disability are predominantly
confined to the indoors.
-
Those who for religious or
cultural reasons completely cover themselves whenever in
public.
-
Darker skinned people such as
those of African-American descent, immigrants from North
Africa, full-blood Aborigines, or Pacific Islanders. These
groups may require 5-10 times longer exposure to synthesise
the same amounts of Vitamin D that a fair skinned person
would produce in 10-30 minutes. Because of their skin’s
deeper pigment, many younger people and women within these
groups tend to avoid exposing their bare skin to the sun.
-
Skin & Health problems:
· Severe,
systemic eczema/psoriasis or other skin disorder.
· Liver
disease may inhibit the conversion of Vitamin D to its
active form.
· Malabsorption
due to its many causes can prevent dietary Vitamin D
uptake and utilisation.
· ‘Lactose
intolerant’ people cannot properly digest milk, so they
will not absorb the Vitamin D it contains.
-
Those who take
Phenytoin Sodium (Dilantin) in long-term anti-convulsant
therapy may acquire a ‘medication-induced’ Vitamin D
deficiency due to this drug.
-
Vegetarians
often have difficulty raising their Vitamin D levels through
oral supplementation as the fatty acid content of meals is
required to facilitate absorption. Daily sunlight exposure
of 15-30 minutes is the better option (avoiding the hottest
period of the day), or Vitamin D injections may be
considered.
About the
Author:
Tony Pearce RN is a specialist trichologist and a registered
nurse. He is a founding member of the Society for Progressive
Trichology. Tony has a clinical practice in Sutherland &
Rozelle NSW. He is the Clinical Director for Trichology of
Virginia/DC in the United States
www.thehairlossclinic.com . In Australia he can be contacted
on +61 2 9542 2700, or through his website at
www.hairlossclinic.com.au.
*A
qualified Trichologist has studied & successfully
completed a recognised Academic Trichology Educational
Program. References for this
article are available on request.
Copyright
Anthony Pearce 7/2007
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