Vitamin D deficiency shouldn’t be ignored

Recent studies show that vitamin D deficiency is epidemic among both children and adults. Vitamin D deficiency is a contributing factor to a large number of medical problems beyond bone health and calcium absorption, including high blood glucose (leading to diabetes), hypertension, and cardiac problems.

The factors leading to vitamin D deficiency are many, including lack of outdoor exposure, and use of sunscreen during outdoor exposure.

However, vitamin D in dietary sources is almost limited to four glasses of milk per day, for the current recommended daily allowance - which is being reexamined for possible increase.

Common knowledge for vitamin D sources, including among many health care professionals, is “milk or dairy equivalents.” Vitamin D is added to milk, but not cheese. There is no vitamin D in cheese.

Vitamin D in yogurt varies considerably among brands and sub-brands; Hy-Vee yogurt contains zero vitamin D. Common knowledge about specific kinds of fish is often not accurate - tuna in water contains zero vitamin D, but tuna in oil is an excellent source of vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency is a public health problem with large ramifications. Common knowledge, including incorrect professional knowledge, is an unfortunate contributor, as is advertising that perpetuates the myth of “dairy equivalents.”

Niles Ross

Cedar Rapids