Vitamin D is a hormone made in the skin by the action of sunlight which changes Vitamin D2 into Vitamin D3, the active hormone, chemical name "Ergocalciferol".
Vtamin D is present in the diet in fish oil.
What does vitamin D do?
Vitamin D regulates the use of calcium in the body. It helps build and maintain bones.
It helps prevent
OSTEOPOROSIS in older people and
RICKETS in growing children.
Older people who take Vitamin D and calcium are less likely to fall and have fractures.
An Australian study of elderly people in a facility for the elderly showed that patients had fewer falls if they took 1000 IU (international units) of Vit D3 and 600 mg. calcium a day. The doctors believe that the vitamin D keeps the leg bones strong and this keeps the leg muscles strong, so the older people are steadier on their feet, and fall less often. The study was done on elderly patients who had a normal level of D3 in their blood, so even normal people are helped by extra Vit D and calcium.
Fractures in the elderly - a fatal event The most common serious fracture in the elderly is a fracture of the hip. Previously this was treated by bed rest and traction. However 30% of patients died of complications, particularly pulmonary embolus, a blood clot that travels from the immobilized leg to the lung. Now even very old people who break a hip receive surgery immediately.
A dose of 400 IU/d is insufficient for fracture prevention. A dose of 400-800 IU was shown to be effective. Vitamin D is available in 1000 IU tablets.
