Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 21 : Vitamin D

Osteoporosis in adults

Osteoporosis, is a condition characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased bone fragility.

Deficiency of vitamin D can result from a number of factors including:

• inadequate intake coupled with inadequate exposure to sunlight (UVB) exposure,
• disorders that limit its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract
• conditions that impair conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, like in cases of liver or kidney disorders and certain body characteristics such as skin color and body fat.