Vitamin D essential for bone health

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Vitamin D essential for bone health

When it comes to healthy bones, many people understand how important calcium is, but are not aware of the importance of vitamin D, a leading GP has warned.

According to Dublin GP, Dr Seamus Mulholland, vitamin D plays a ‘vital role' in bone health.

"Without vitamin D, calcium, which is required for strong and healthy bones, cannot be adequately absorbed. Many of our patients understand how important calcium is for healthy bones, but are not aware of the key role Vitamin D plays in helping the body to absorb this calcium," Dr Mulholland explained.

He said there is a ‘definite need' to improve education about this vitamin, particularly among women with osteoporosis, so that they can protect themselves against future fractures.

Dr Mulholland made his comments at the launch of a new information campaign, which aims to inform women about the importance of taking Vitamin D as part of their osteoporosis treatment.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is a thinning of the bones, causing them to fracture (break) more easily. While the disease can strike men and women at any age, it is most commonly seen in postmenopausal women. One in three women over the age of 50 is affected.

More than 50% of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis worldwide have low vitamin D levels. The best source of the vitamin is sunlight exposure. However as people get older their skin becomes less able to convert that sunshine into vitamin D.

Foods such as eggs, butter, bran flakes, fish and fried lamb's liver are sources of Vitamin D. However even if a person consumed a portion of each every day, they would only be taking in half the recommended daily intake.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for a person with osteoporosis is a minimum of 800 IU a day.

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=18054