Vitamin D is essential for promoting calcium absorption and is also needed for bone growth and integrity. Vitamin D deficiency can cause bones to become thin, brittle and even deformed. Vitamin D deficiency can also hinder calcium and phosphorous absorption. As a result, prolonged Vitamin D deficiency has a negative impact on bone mineralization. In infancts and children, such a deficiency manifests itself as rickets, a condition characterized by bone deformities and growth retardation. Proper Vitamin D supplements will prevent this from happening

In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued recommended intakes for vitamin D that exceeded those of Food and Nutrition Board. The AAP recommendations are based on evidence from more recent clinical trials and the history of safe use of 40IU/day of vitamin D in pediatric and adolescent populations. AAP also recommends that older children and adolescents who do not obtain 400IU/day through vitamin D-fortified milk and foods should take a 400 IU vitamin D supplement daily ⁽¹⁾

Vitamin D has other roles in human health, including modulation of neutomusclar and immune function and reduction of inflammation⁽²⁾. Vitamin D regulates immune system activity, preventing an excessive and prolonged inflammatory response. Our immune cells, specifically our active T-cells, have receptors for vitamin D. This is important because autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel diseases (such as Cronhn's disease and ulcerative colitis) all have a T-cell component of inflammation.
 

Item #72005

• Help prvent a growing list of Chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer.
• Help keep you bones and teeth strong and healthy
• Regulate the growth and activity of your cells
• Reduce inflammation

⁽¹⁾ Wagner CL, Green RF and the Section on Breastfeeding and Committee on Nutrition. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children and adolescents. Pediatrics 2008;122:1142-1152
²Hayes CE, Hashold FE, Spach KM, Penderson LB. The immunlogical funtion of the vitamin D endocrine system. Cell Mol Biol 2003;49:277-300