Scottish islands selected for new vitamin D study

This content item was originally published on www.nutraingredients-usa.com, a William Reed online publication.

By Nathan Gray

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Vitamin d deficiency Vitamin d

Scottish islands selected for new vitamin D study
Barely a week goes by without a new study supporting the potential benefits of vitamin D, but the many questions remain unanswered regarding the sunshine vitamin.

A team of Scottish researchers is focussing their attentions on the Orkneys, islands off the north coast of Scotland, are using their genetic data banks to examine the effects of vitamin D status and various diseases.

Dr Ruth McQuillan from the University of Edinburgh tells Nathan Gray why it is important to study in such northerly climes. “There have been lots of observational studied showing an association between various diseases and vitamin D deficiency, but there is not any evidence yet that that is a casual relationship… it may be that vitamin D deficiency is a marker of ill health,” ​she​said.

The researchers are also interested in testing if vitamin D is linked to the high rates of multiple sclerosis observed in these northerly Scottish islands, said Dr McQuillan.

Data on D

Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. The former, produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (290 to 320 nm), is said to be more bioactive.

Both D3 and D2 precursors are hydroxylated in the liver and kidneys to form 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active 'storage' form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body.

While our bodies do manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine, the levels in some northern countries are so weak during the winter months that our body makes no vitamin D at all, meaning that dietary supplements and fortified foods are seen by many as the best way to boost intakes of vitamin D.

And the science supports maintaining adequate levels, with vitamin D deficiency in adults reported to precipitate or exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases. There is also some evidence that the vitamin may reduce the incidence of several types of cancer and type-1 diabetes.

Related topics Research Vitamins & premixes

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Innovation in convenient formats: vegan gummies

Innovation in convenient formats: vegan gummies

Content provided by Cambridge Commodities | 05-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

Supplements and vitamins in pill form have been around for decades, but consumers are now seeking alternatives that fit with their busy lifestyles and...

Related suppliers

1 comment

vita d

Posted by lars lindqvist,

Why do we not in bread?

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars