Researcher: "Enriching nutrition with vitamin D"

Vitamin D deficiency is badociated with a number of bones, muscle disorders and weak immune systems. Some countries have already implemented the fortification of vitamin D foods. The Graz endocrinologist, Stefan Pilz, also recommends it for Austria

"Our way of life, badociated with a low exposure to the sun, is mainly responsible for this sometimes very dangerous deficiency, "says Pilz, involved in an international research project on the subject. Vitamin D can only be ingested to a small extent with food. It occurs in fatty fish, dairy products or edible mushrooms, although in a concentration too low.

Sunbeams really boost production in the skin. "About 80% of the demand is generated by the UVB radiation of the body itself," says Pilz. In addition to staying outdoors, age and skin color also matter how much vitamin D is produced and stored in the body. "Vitamin D acts as the thyroid and bad hormones throughout the body and controls many genes," says Pilz.

Doctors recommend supplementation

A balanced balance of vitamin D is therefore particularly important. Promoting a healthier lifestyle with more outdoor activities and optimal nutrition was definitely warranted, but would not eliminate vitamin D deficiency alone, and should also be considered as possible side effects such as skin cancer. In countries such as the United States, Canada, India or Finland, a systematic fortification of various foods containing vitamin D has already been introduced. In Finland, this has led to "that there are almost more people in the Finnish population who are deficient with hydroxyvitamin D levels below 12 ng / ml."

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