The normal functioning of the human body is possible provided that the reserves of vitamins, minerals and other useful substances are replenished. Their failure leads to disruption of organs and metabolism. A special role is given to vitamins. Deficiency of these components has a very noticeable effect on the state of health. In order not to encounter this problem, it is necessary to eat rationally and take vitamin complexes for prevention .
The value of vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is involved in many processes in the body. It affects the immune, skeletal, nervous systems, cell growth and the state of the endocrine glands.
The component is primarily responsible for the absorption of magnesium and calcium minerals, which are necessary for the formation of dental and bone tissue. Vitamin D3 takes an active part in the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium, as a result of which an increase in the influx of minerals strengthens tooth and bone tissue. It affects the processes of cell renewal and growth, protects the body from the development of cancers. A sufficient concentration of the component helps to strengthen the immune system, normalizes the level of glucose in the blood, and positively affects the cardiovascular system.
The daily norm of vitamin for children is about 500 IU, for adults - 600 IU. Women during pregnancy and lactation are recommended to take up to 1500 IU. An additional dose is also needed for the elderly.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Causes
Deficiency of vitamin D in the body, which can be caused by factors such as lack of sunlight and insufficient insolation of rooms, is a fairly common phenomenon. More often it occurs in people who live in the northern latitudes, where the lack of sunlight and long winters interfere with the production of the component by the skin. Malnutrition, inadequate consumption of dairy products and fish can also lead to deficiency.
The body is able to use vitamin D3 only in active form, for which the kidneys are responsible. Accordingly, people with kidney failure or other problems with these organs are also at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency. Diseases such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease interfere with the absorption of the component from food.
The following factors contribute to the development of vitamin D deficiency: a vegetarian diet, the use of antacids, kidney and liver diseases, dark skin, lactation and pregnancy, over the age of 50 years.
Deficiency symptoms
Depending on the degree of deficiency and the sensitivity of the person, the symptoms of the lack may also differ. In the initial stages, it may not manifest itself at all, and then abruptly turn into rickets. Symptoms of deficiency include: weight loss, weakness, stoop, bone deformities, spinal deformity, stunted growth in children, muscle cramps, tooth deformation, delayed tooth formation, joint pain.
Vitamin deficiency in the body can be cured if you pay attention to the problem in time. To do this, you need to monitor the state of your health and the health of your children, make the right menu, walk in the fresh air and avoid bad habits.
Possible complications
If measures are not taken to neutralize vitamin D deficiency, this can lead to the development of very serious diseases that are difficult to treat, and in some cases can last a lifetime. The most common complications include rickets (especially in childhood), osteoporosis (brittle bones), osteomalacia, fractures and bone deformation. In early childhood, when a child’s bone tissue is just forming, vitamin deficiency can affect bone quality in the future.
Against the background of a deficiency, the following diseases can gradually develop: multiple sclerosis, hypertension, persistent headache, depression, chronic pain and fatigue, diseases of the cardiovascular system, cancer, asthma, arthritis.
Prevention
You can prevent the development of a deficit by adhering to simple rules. The first is a sufficient stay in the sun and fresh air. Sunlight positively affects the general condition of a person and stimulates the production of vitamin D by the skin. The daily diet should include foods that contain this component. They can replace drugs and provide the body with the necessary substances.
Complex supplements or vitamins in drugs should be taken only after a thorough examination by a doctor. A specialist can prescribe them for diseases that can contribute to the development of deficiency.
Failure treatment
A lack of vitamin C in the blood threatens to cause serious complications, so you need to take action at the first sign. The treatment should be comprehensive and consist of several steps. Firstly, it is necessary to discover the cause that caused the deficit and to eliminate it. It is worth revising your lifestyle and daily diet, make some adjustments to it. In particular, you need to eat oily fish, dairy products, drink fortified milk more often.
After examination in the clinic, the doctor may prescribe preparations containing vitamin D. The choice of medicines is very large, vitamin D3 (solution) is popular. Another drug is known as Aquadetrim. Before using any product, you should read the instructions. Of great importance is vitamin D3 for infants. The drug "Aquadetrim" is good because it is suitable for use from four weeks of life.
Vitamin D3
To maintain a normal level of the component in the blood, you need to include in your daily diet products that contain it in sufficient quantities. If it does not succeed, then medications that are designed to provide the body with vitamin D3 will come to the rescue.
The most common drugs include Viganol, Minisan, Aquadetrim. Of particular note is the last, aqueous solution of vitamin D3. The peculiarity of the drug is that it is approved for use by pregnant women and newborn babies. The tool prevents the development of rickets, osteoporosis and other similar diseases, is used in the treatment of vitamin deficiency. The drug can be bought at any pharmacy kiosk at an affordable price, it is dispensed without a prescription, but before use, especially during pregnancy, it is advisable to consult a doctor and carefully read the instructions.
Pharmacology
Due to the active ingredient - colecalciferol, the drug "Aquadetrim", or aqueous vitamin D3, affects the normalization of the metabolism of phosphates and calcium, as a result of which the bone skeleton is correctly formed and bone structure is preserved. The active component of the drug takes part in the reabsorption of phosphates, the functioning of the parathyroid glands, affects the synthesis of adenosine triphosphoric acid.
The solution helps to normalize the content of calcium ions, affects blood coagulation and nerve impulses, prevents the development of hypovitaminosis and calcium deficiency, as a result of which diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets develop.
The aqueous solution "Aquadetrim", compared with oil, has greater bioavailability and is better adsorbed, does not require the presence of bile for absorption into the blood, which is especially important for premature babies who still have an immature digestive system.
Indications
The use of vitamin D3 is recommended primarily for vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis. Prescribe a drug for the treatment and prevention of rickets-like diseases, hypocalcemia, tetany (caused by hypocalcemia). A sufficient amount of the component is necessary for infants and children who grow and develop, their bones are formed and require its presence for normal absorption of calcium.
During menopause and postmenopause due to hormonal changes in women, osteoporosis may develop, for the treatment of which vitamin D3 also needs to be taken. Instructions for use describe all cases in which you can use the tool "Aquadetrim." The drug is prescribed for loss of calcium in the teeth and bones, with osteomalacia of various etiologies, with osteopathies caused by metabolic disorders. It also has a good effect on the restoration and fusion of bone tissue after fractures.
Contraindications
Before giving vitamin D3 to children or taking it yourself, it is advisable to consult a doctor, because he has a list of contraindications for use and side effects.
Do not take the drug with individual sensitivity to colecalciferol, as well as with intolerance to benzyl alcohol. With an increased level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) or urine (hypercalciuria), vitamin D3 should also be refused. The instruction prohibits the use of the drug for hypervitaminosis, renal failure, active tuberculosis, urolithiasis. With prolonged immobilization, large doses of the drug are contraindicated.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the drug is prescribed, given the condition of the mother and fetus (child). In this case, extreme caution is needed, because with an overdose, the baby may have developmental disorders. With caution, vitamin D3 should also be prescribed for newborns, and especially for premature babies.
Side effects
Patients using vitamin D3 may experience some side effects. If the drug is used in recommended doses, then the possibility of their occurrence is close to zero. Side effects may occur when the dose is exceeded or with individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
You can determine the reaction of the body to the action of the drug by the following symptoms: irritability, sudden changes in mood, stupor, depression, mental disorders, headache. The gastrointestinal tract can disturb dry mouth, thirst, vomiting, nausea, stool disorders, rapid loss of body weight, up to anorexia. The cardiovascular system can respond by increasing blood pressure, increasing heart rate, and impaired heart function. In addition, such side effects as nephropathy, myalgia, general muscle weakness, polyuria, soft tissue calcification can occur.
special instructions
If the drug is used to treat a disease, then only a doctor can prescribe it, referring to the results of blood and urine tests. When using the product for prophylactic purposes, it is necessary to remember the possibility of an overdose, especially for pediatric patients. With prolonged use of vitamin D3 in high doses, the development of chronic hypervitaminosis is possible.
When giving the drug to newborns, attention should be paid to their individual sensitivity to its components. If you take vitamin D3 for a long time , for children this threatens with the possibility of stunting. In old age, the daily requirement for the component increases in patients, but vitamin D preparations can be contraindicated in connection with the presence of various diseases. In this case, it is necessary to fill the needs of the body by eating foods with a high content of this substance.
Vitamin D3 in foods
It is possible to fill the lack of vitamins with the help of not only medicines, but also food. Vitamin D3 is found in sufficient quantities in mackerel, mackerel, herring, tuna, fish oil, fish liver, seafood, eggs, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, and dairy products.
There is little vitamin in plant-based foods, something vegetarians should pay attention to. Potato, nettle, horsetail, parsley, and oatmeal can be attributed to such products. It is synthesized under the influence of sunlight, so it costs more time to spend in the fresh air, if possible, take sun baths.