1. Bachelors Capstone in Health and Wellness
HW499 – Kaplan University
Vitamin D
Tina Samaniego
2. Agenda
• What is vitamin D?
– What does it do?
– Why is it important?
• What is Vitamin D deficiency?
• Factors which have increased vitamin D deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency symptoms
• Vitamin D supplementation
3. Vitamin D
• Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which enhances the
absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate and zinc
in the intestines.
– Fat soluble vitamins are soluble in lipids and are stored in
the body for longer periods of time.
• Vitamin D is unique because it can be produced in the body
when skin is exposed to sunlight and turns this vitamin into a
hormone called calcitriol.
– Calcitriol has an important role in regulating body levels of
calcium and phosphorus, and in mineralization of bone.
• Vitamin D is supplied by exposure to sunlight and may be
taken as a supplement or consumed in food fortified with
Vitamin D.
(Feldman, 2011).
4. Why Do We Need Vitamin D?
• Calcium and phosphorous are key elements in the
development, structure and strength of bones.
• Research shows that vitamin D is important to
other functions of the body, including:
– Immune System function
– Muscle function
– Cardiovascular function
– Respiratory function
– Brain development
(Feldman, 2011)
5. Vitamin D Deficiency
• A research study in 2009 shows a decrease levels
of vitamin D in the U.S. population.
• 75% of the participants had an inadequate level
of vitamin D.
• Exposure to sunlight is the primary cause of
vitamin D deficiency.
– Northern areas in the U.S. between November and
March have insufficient UV-B rays to produce
adequate sunlight to produce vitamin D.
(Ginde, et. al., 2009)
6. Factors Which Have Increased
Vitamin D Deficiency
• Air conditioning
– In warmer climates, may tend to choose being indoors
with air conditioning than being outside when it’s hot
and sunny.
• Technology
– Television and video games have become more
entertaining for youth than outdoor activities.
• Fear of skin cancer
• Vegan diets
• Obesity
– Individuals who weigh more need more vitamin D
7. Factors Which Have Increased
Vitamin D Deficiency
• Medical conditions
– Chron’s disease
– Celiac
– Cystic Fibrosis
• Aging
(Magee, 2014)
8. Symptoms
• Pain in bones and joints
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Depression
A blood test is the only known way to diagnose vitamin D
deficiency. Symptoms are typically low to moderate and
may be mis-diagnosed.
(Story, 2014)
9. Supplementation
• Vitamin D supplementation
– The Mayo Clinic recommends a daily vitamin D
supplement of 800 to 2,000 internal units (IU).
– The institute of Medicine’s recommendation is up to
4,000 IU per day.
– Supplements of vitamin D should be taken with food
that contains fat so that it is absorbed properly (Story,
2014).
– Vitamin D supplementation appears to lessen the risk
of the conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency.
10. References
Ginde AA, Liu MC, Camargo CA, Jr. Demographic Differences
and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population,
1988-2004. Arch Intern Med.2009;169(6):626-632.
doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.604.
Magee, E., MPH, RD. (2014, May 24). Vitamin D Deficiency:
Symptoms, Causes, and Health Risks. Retrieved April 16,
2016, from http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/vitamin-
d-deficiency
Story, C. (2014, August 5). Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency.
Retrieved April 17, 2016, from
http://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-d-deficiency#3
Vitamin D, Third Edition by Feldman D, Pike JW, Adams JS.
Elsevier Academic Press, 2011.
