Vitamin D for the
Disabled
by Mart Gil Abareta
Perhaps, the most important
source vitamin D is sun exposure. The sun’s ultraviolet rays
cause vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Ten to fifteen
minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the
face, arms, hands or back without sunscreen is usually enough
to provide adequate vitamin D. Also, it is very important for individuals with
limited sun exposure to include good sources of vitamin D in
their diet.
According to the article “Vitamin D Gains Favor as Health Key”
by Tim which was posted on February 29, 2004 at
www.ruggedelegantliving.com, emerging research indicates that
vitamin D is more important to our health than previously
thought, leading an increasing number of scientists to
challenge whether the fear of sun exposure has made us cover up
too much. Doctors are finding an increase in vitamin D
deficiencies, even as researchers discover remarkable results
from the vitamin that affects nearly every tissue in the
body.
Did you know that the best known activity of vitamin D is its
role in maintaining the bones? It functions by increasing the
uptake of calcium from the intestine through interaction with
the parathyroid glands in controlling bone resorption and serum
calcium levels. The skeleton is the body's reservoir of calcium
and provides calcium through resorption of mineral when serum
levels of this essential element drop. It also increases
reabsorption of phosphate by the kidney tubule, and may
directly affect the osteoblast, the cell which forms bone.
This might be the foremost reason why the five patients in
Buffalo have decided to take a chance on large doses of vitamin
D through sun exposure for a longer period. Scientifically, sun
exposure has been proven to be one good source of this vitamin
that’s why they have recovered easily and said goodbye to their
wheelchairs. They can now perform their normal activities
without any pain in the soonest possible time.
Imagine how vitamin D has changed the lives of these disabled
people. Truly remarkable, right? In recent years, vitamin D has
gained increased respect and attention. Its biological role is
now known to extend beyond regulation of bone mineralization
and serum calcium levels. Research also suggests that vitamin D
may help maintain a healthy immune system and help regulate
cell growth and differentiation, the process that determines
what a cell is to become.
And considering the case of the said Buffalo patients, vitamin
D will continue to be an important vitamin to all of us –
especially to those persons with disabilities.
About the Author
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