Low vitamin D levels - lactose intolerance increases supplementation needs in North Americans
Those with a genetic intolerance to lactose may suffer from a vitamin D deficiency - according to a recent study conducted at the University of Toronto and published in the Journal of Nutrition.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
Adequate Vitamin D is essential not only for strong bones and teeth, but for a healthy immune system and general metabolism. It's also vital for the normal development and functioning of the brain and nervous system.Vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods (oily fish and liver are the richest sources).
The main natural source is exposure of the skin to bright sunlight. However, modern lifestyles, and use of sunscreens (to protect against skin cancer risks from over-exposure to the UV radiation needed to make Vitamin D) mean many people are now at risk of Vitamin D deficiency unless they supplement, or consume fortified foods.
In the US and Canada, milk and dairy products are therefore fortified with Vitamin D, as a basic public health measure to reduce Vitamin D deficiency.
Given that many adults are intolerant to lactose for genetic reasons, this study investigated whether Vitamin D levels were lower in those with this genetic predispostion - and found they were.
As the researchers said, this finding is not surprising - and highllights the importance of supplementation with Vitamin D in those who do not consume enough fortified milk and dairy products.
See the associated research:
23 May 2017 - MedicalXpress
---------------------------------
Those with a genetic intolerance to lactose may suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. That's according to a recent study conducted at the University of Toronto and published in the Journal of Nutrition.
"The findings in this study are not surprising because dairy products (primarily milk) that contain lactose are fortified with vitamin D and one of the primary sources of vitamin D for many people," says Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program Medical Director Dr. Donald Hensrud.
He adds that this should be put into context of overall vitamin D insufficiency.
"It affects a large proportion of the population, perhaps 20 percent-50 percent depending on the cutoff for vitamin D levels. So, people with lactose intolerance may be at particularly increased risk of low vitamin D status which may lead to suboptimal bone health and possibly other consequences."
Hensrud says there aren't a lot of foods that contain high amounts of vitamin D.
"In addition to milk, some of them are fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, egg yolks, and fortified foods such as some cereals and orange juice," he says.
"For this reason, most people do not obtain an adequate vitamin D intake from food. We can also get vitamin D from sun exposure, but this increases the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, to obtain adequate vitamin D many people may want to take a vitamin D3 supplement."
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2025 © All Rights Reserved.