New Study Links Vitamin D Deficiency to Anemia Risk in Children
Burlington, Ontario (PRWEB) November 27, 2013 -- A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics links Vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk of anemia in children. Given that one-quarter of Canadians did not meet the RDA for Vitamin D set out by Health Canada, this is a significant finding.
The researchers studied over 10,000 blood samples to determine if there was a correlation between Vitamin D levels and hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells. They found that Vitamin D levels were consistently lower in children with anemia.
"Nutritional science is only now beginning to understand the full health effects of Vitamin D," says Jackie McKenzie, registered dietitian and LSN health consultant. "What is known is that there is a Vitamin D receptor in almost every cell of the body, which has lead researchers to speculate that Vitamin D is far more important than previously thought."
What is interesting about the study is that even the children with a mild Vitamin D deficiency (defined as anything below 30 nanograms per milliliter) had low hemoglobin levels. These children had twice the risk of anemia compared to those with normal Vitamin D levels.
Anemia can cause mild to severe fatigue, heart arrhythmia and heart failure. In growing children if left untreated, it can also lead to a shortened attention span, impaired growth and motor development, and an increased risk for stroke. Because 20% of children experience anemia, this is an important discovery for prevention.
"Vitamin D is one of those forgotten vitamins because people assume that they can get all they need from the sun," says McKenzie who explains that there are many factors that make this untrue and recommends parents give their children Vitamin D supplements. "The reality is many aren’t getting the right amount throughout the year."
Reducing the risk of anemia is just one of the Vitamin D benefits. Vitamin D is best known for its role in bone and mineral metabolism, but it is increasingly recognized to play a role in immune function, cell proliferation and differentiation, and cardiovascular function. According to the study, 70% of children and adolescents have a Vitamin D deficiency.
There are many reasons Canadians aren’t getting enough Vitamin D, including sunscreen usage, northern latitudes, cloud cover, air pollution and too much indoor living. Even eating Vitamin D fortified foods make it difficult to reach the recommended daily intake of 1,000 IU. Thankfully, IronKids Vitamin D gummies contain 400 IU of Vitamin D3 in a fun, fruity flavour kids enjoy!
About Life Science Nutritionals
Founded in 2005 by health and nutrition expert, Stuart Lowther, Life Science Nutritionals specializes the manufacture of premium quality gummy vitamins for kids and adults, under the trade names IronKids and Adult Essentials.
Life Science Nutritionals is Canada’s leader in gummy vitamin manufacturing, sales and distribution, winning numerous consumer and parent choice awards, including the Best New Product Award and the Parent Tested, Parent Approved Award.
Deborah Lowther, Life Science Nutritionals, http://iron-kids.com, +1 (905) 320-0681, [email protected]
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