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Unit 4

Maria Mejia
Vitamin D
The sunshine vitamin
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Table of Contents
Section Section Name Slide No.
1.
An intro to vitamin D

3
2. The benefits of consuming a diet with vitamin D 5
3.
The risks of having lows levels of vitamin D, especially for this
specific community .


6
4.
DRI/RDAs for target groups and what to incorporate the
vitamin into the diet.
7
Compounds that do not produce
energy, cannot be produced by the
body but rather by consuming food, or
that are obtained from an outside
source, and that are only needed in
small quantities to perform functions,
are classified as a vitamin.
What is vitamin D?
The sunshine nutrient, vitamin D, plays a major role
in health. It is commonly known for its functions of
absorbing calcium and phosphorus in bones and is vital to
the immune system. Other functions include; bone
mineralization, maintains calcium levels, and is part of the
active transport process in the small intestine.
Vitamin D comes in various
forms. It is considered to be a
prohormone when it is in its
active form it is a hormone.
Vitamin D2, also known as
ergocalciferol can be found in
yeast and ergot. Vitamin D3, also
called cholecalciferol, the
Chemical name for vitamin D in
its inactive form. When
cholecalciferol is consumed in
food or synthesized in the skin,
its first activation step occurs in
the liver; the final activation step
is completed in the kidneys to
form the active vitamin D
hormone calcitriol. (Schlenker,
2011.)
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Our bodies also create
Vitamin D when the
suns ultraviolet rays
come in contact with
our skin. Vitamin D is
added to foods
meaning they have
been fortified and can
also be found in juice,
milk and dairy
products and cereals.
The sunshine nutrient, vitamin D, plays a major
role in health. It is commonly known for its functions of
absorbing calcium and phosphorus in bones and is vital
to the immune system. Other functions include; bone
mineralization, maintains calcium levels, and is part of
the active transport process in the small intestine. New
studies also show that vitamin D also aids in the
prevention of other chronic disease by supporting cell
growth, regulating insulin levels, support immune
function, muscle strength, and regulates hypertension
and cardiovascular disease.
New studies also show that vitamin D also aids in the
prevention of other chronic disease by supporting cell growth,
regulating insulin levels, support immune function, muscle
strength, and regulates hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
The Benefits
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Some researchers believe that up to
75% of the United States
population may not be getting
enough vitamin D (levels below 30
ng/ml). With such a high percentage
of people at risk for vitamin D
deficiency, doctors are increasingly
testing patients for vitamin D
levels, to check if they are getting
enough. (Vitamin D Council, 2014).
Vitamin D deficiency
Bone disease and other ailments such as cancer, heart
disease, multiple sclerosis, and more may occur if
vitamin D levels are low or below normal.

Research shows that some
ethnicities such as those with
darker skin pigmentation are
less able to absorb Vitamin D
compared to those with
lighter skin tones.

The farther away you live
from the equator means less
exposure to the sun.

Obesity plays a role in the
absorption of vitamin D
Do you have more of a risk?
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Incorporate these
foods into your
diet:
The recommended average intake of
Vitamin D for those 6 months of age
and 50 years, is 200 ICU. For those
between 51 and 70 years of age, the
amount is doubled to 400 ICU. Persons
over 71 should have an AI of 600 ICU.
However, the daily recommended
intake is arguably set to at least 1000
ICU to eliminate any chances of
deficiency.
Salmon
Sardines
Tuna
Cows Milk
Eggs
Shitake Mushrooms
Vitamin D Fortified
Foods
You may also consider
taking a Vitamin D
supplement if you have a
difficult time getting out
into the sun or eating the
above foods.
P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
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P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
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NY 10001
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References;

Vitamin D Council. (April 4, 2014). New survey data shows vitamin D deficiency diagnoses have
tripled in recent years. Retrieved from; http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitamin-d-news/new-
survey-data-shows-vitamin-d-deficiency-diagnoses-have-tripled-in-recent-years/

Schlenker, R. (2011). Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy. [VitalSouce bookshelf
version]. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/978-0-323-06860-4.