What are the effects of inadequate vitamin D?
The classic problem is loss of bone mineral content. But researchers are finding that a multitude of other ailments could be related to vitamin D deficiency, including certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, obesity and depression. Q: Why is there a controversy? A: There are four main reasons • Nutrient intake recommendations are based on research available at the time they are set. New research, with new techniques, can lead to new recommendations. • Recommendations are typically set to prevent deficiency signs and establish adequate stores of a nutrient in the body. But as the nutrition knowledge base grows, researchers can find health problems unrelated to “classic” deficiency signs. • Excess vitamin D in the diet can damage organs such as the kidneys. • Vitamin D is unique among vitamins because it is produced in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. Of course, this raises another controversy. Dermatologists caution against any sun ex
