The Sunshine Vitamin

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, characterized by serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L. It is usually caused by sun avoidance, using sun protection, inadequate dietary and supplementary vitamin D intake, malabsorption syndrome and usage of medications. Most of the patients are asymptomatic; severe and prolonged vitamin deficiency causes rickets and growth retardation in children and osteomalacia, osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are treated with supplementary vitamin D and sensible sunlight exposure.