New Tool Uncovers Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency in Japan

December 3, 2024 TruthUSA

Discover the significant health risks associated with vitamin D deficiency, particularly for expectant mothers.

Researchers in Japan have created an affordable screening method designed to identify women who are at a high risk for vitamin D deficiency. The study conducted with nearly 600 Japanese women highlighted serious health issues, such as pregnancy-related hypertension and low birth weight, which are associated with insufficient sun exposure and the use of sunscreen.

The objective of this new tool is to support healthcare providers in administering vitamin D supplements more efficiently, especially for groups with higher melanin concentrations and reduced sun exposure.

New Tool for Predicting Vitamin D Deficiency

A research team led by Professor Akiko Kuwabara from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology performed a cross-sectional study involving 583 Japanese women aged between 18 and 40.

This study collected extensive information, encompassing participants’ age, location, medical history, and lifestyle factors, including their sun exposure habits and use of supplements. Dietary evaluations were carried out using a self-reported dietary history questionnaire.

Researchers estimated both the average and cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure over the 30 days leading up to the blood sample collection. Utilizing this information, the team introduced an innovative, low-cost risk assessment tool called ViDDPreS (vitamin D deficiency predicting scoring).

“The ViDDPreS developed in this study can identify at-risk populations at a minimal cost and assess the factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency,” Kuwabara stated in a statement.

In Japan, the overuse of sunscreen and a cultural inclination towards avoiding tanned skin result in significantly reduced sun exposure, which subsequently leads to lower vitamin D production.

Significance of Supplementation

Vitamin D supplementation is crucial for counteracting the risks entailed by deficiency due to sun avoidance, as emphasized by Kuwabara.

“Furthermore, using vitamin D supplements is expected to yield positive effects for those who are deficient in this crucial nutrient. The hope is that ViDDPreS will facilitate the appropriate use of these supplements,” she added.

Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency

Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board-certified physician specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine, shared with The Epoch Times that determining a patient’s vitamin D levels is one of her main goals.

In her practice, every pregnant woman undergoes a vitamin D assessment, and if any deficiencies are discovered, she ensures that the necessary supplementation is provided.

Individuals with greater melanin content have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, as melanin can impede the conversion process that generates this vital nutrient when skin is exposed to sunlight, Gaither explained. Vitamin D is critical for various bodily functions during pregnancy, including:

Cognitive function
Cardiovascular health
Bone development for both mother and child
Boosting immune responses, a factor that became evident during the COVID pandemic,” Gaither noted.
Reducing the risk of preterm labor

Gaither, who directs perinatal services/maternal-fetal medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, warns that specific conditions can elevate the risk for vitamin D deficiency, including a history of bariatric surgery, liver or kidney diseases, and malabsorption issues.

Certain medications may also increase the likelihood of deficiency, such as anticonvulsants, steroids, cancer treatments, and tuberculosis medications like Rifampin and isoniazid, as well as blood pressure drugs like Procardia—estrogen blockers used in breast cancer treatment.

Obesity and Vitamin D Deficiency

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that from August 2021 to August 2023, 40.3% of adults in the United States were classified as obese.

Obesity is linked to lower vitamin D levels, as excess body fat can absorb and retain vitamin D, limiting the amount that remains in circulation. Individuals with obesity often require higher doses of vitamin D supplements to maintain sufficient levels since fat cells effectively serve as a storage site for the vitamin, preventing it from entering the bloodstream and leading to insufficient circulating vitamin D levels even when adequate quantities are consumed or synthesized through sun exposure.

“Vitamin D is affordable, and depending on the level of deficiency, a daily intake of 1000-2000 IU is typically recommended,” Gaither concluded.

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