Abstract
The associated with vitamin D and calcium publications are primarily based on their respective supplements’ health effects. They have clarified an interesting scenario regarding the consumption of these elements. The landscape of vitamin D and Ca can be observed across different populations. To test the prevalence of vitamin D and Ca deficiency, similarities, and differences, alongside their health benefits, a cross-sectional study was deliberated in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The research established that these elements are synergistic and integral for immunological functions, including the formation of healthy teeth. However, they displayed characteristic physiological differences. Sources and resources used in the study were obtained from internet sources. Sites like Google Books, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost were used to acquire possible research information. Intending to seek facts and evidence surrounding the health benefits of Ca and vitamin D, the research established research gaps like the high prevalence of vitamin D and Ca deficiencies among the study group regardless of the increasing literacy and education levels.
Vitamin D and Calcium
There have been numerous publications associated with the various aspects of vitamin D and calcium. The studies primarily focus on the physiological and therapeutic aspects of the micronutrient. The florid scientific literature does not eliminate the uncertainty on numerous issues. For example, there is no consensus on the importance of vitamin D and calcium in people’s health and well-being. Endless debates have been highlighted, including the standard means of measuring the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D), precursors, and metabolites.
Excessive calcium absorption could lead to nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. The other debate is associated with hypovitaminosis in the general population concerning a specific clinical condition such as pregnancy and health condition. The research will focus on vitamin D and calcium issues concerning the modalities used to ensure sufficiency and health benefits. The target group will be the United Arab Emirates population that has faced significant health issues associated with the nutrients.
Literature Review
Roles of Vitamin D in the Body
Vitamin D is essential for physiology and anatomy. First, vitamin D is preventing rickets’ development. The formation of healthy bones is dependent on this element’s presence, but it is also influenced by calcium. Vitamin D enhances dietary calcium intake, a mineral integral to the formation of such bust bones.
Secondly, it promotes the physiology of parathyroid glands. Because they balance calcium levels via the kidney, vitamin D is directly involved in homeostasis maintenance. Calcium and/or vitamin D insufficiency condition parathyroid glands to break down bones to obtain calcium or vitamin D.
Functions of Ca
While 99% of it is located in teeth, bones, calcium is also found in body fluids, blood, tissues, and nerve cells. The intake of calcium helps with the coagulation, healthy forming of bones, sending and reception of nerve signals, squeezing and relaxing muscle cells, releasing hormones and other chemicals essential for body functioning, and maintaining a regular heartbeat. After a human being stops growing, calcium is vital to maintaining the bone structure. The mineral is also crucial in ensuring that the bone density growth is minimal.
Noteworthy, diminishing bone density is a natural part experienced in the aging process. The mineral is also essential in the cardiovascular system because it is one of the agents supporting blood clotting. Some studies have correlated much calcium intake with a low prevalence of high blood pressure. The rationale behind the indication is that calcium is responsible for relaxing the muscles surrounding blood vessels.
Effects of Vitamin D and Ca Deficiency in the Body
Poor Immunity, Allergic Responses, and Enhanced Weight Loss
Their physiological functions inform the effects of Vitamin D-Calcium deficiencies. First, Vitamin D promotes immunity and is expressed on immunologic cells such as B and T cells and antigen. Secondly, Vitamin D can help prevent various infectious diseases; therefore, it can improve current global public health associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calcium is required for activating the immune system when it enters immune cells, especially those involved in allergic responses. In lymphocytes, calcium ions act as intermediaries that trigger lymphocytes’ actions. Vitamin D and calcium combination enhances calcium absorption, hence a necessity among obese individuals because of enhanced weight loss.
Current evidence on vitamin D and calcium combination also cite helping with the weight loss. The latter indirectly reduces comorbidities like hypertension or diabetes. Therefore, vitamin D and calcium deficiency leads to low immune and allergic responses. The rationale of this argument regards the pivotal roles they play in enhancing immunity and allergic reactions.
Diseases like Osteoporosis and Poor Related Physiological Functions
Vitamin D and calcium are equally integral to the formation of healthy bones and teeth, and this vitamin insufficiency leads to poor Ca absorption. Because both of these elements are similarly essential, in case of deficiency, bones will be degraded, as well as physiological functions like the formation of bone marrow and immune cells.
Gaps in Existing Literature
The following are some of the gaps in the literature;
- High rates of supplement ignorance across the sample population
- Even though the global community is becoming more literate, vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are equally increasing. The scene is quite surprising because increasing literacy across the global population should inform the appreciation of vitamin D and calcium supplements.
- Medical professionals’ response and roles in addressing or stressing the importance and benefits of supplements across the study group of the global population.
- Vitamin D and calcium interplay and their concomitant/synergistic roles in facilitating human health and well-being.
- The increasing vitamin D and calcium deficiency despite increasing literacy across the global population.
Aims of the Paper
The primary aim of this paper is to clear the debate surrounding vitamin D and calcium supplements. The discussion covers the prevalence of vitamin D and calcium deficiency in the UAE. The discussion is based on a practical approach via a cross-sectional study in Sharjah to display vitamin D and calcium prevalence, alongside the specimen’s health effects.
Methodology
Research Design
A cross-sectional research design was used to study the specimen, n=480, in Sharjah. They were randomly selected from Sharjah’s population. The study grouped aged between 5 to 79 years. The actual research was conducted at the American University of Sharjah, UAE. Ethical values and competence are crucial elements in such studies. A mixed methodology was used in the survey to acquire qualitative and quantitative data about the topic.
Qualitative and quantitative data is necessary to account for a given phenomenon according to the figures captured among the participants. An open-ended questionnaire was administered to the patients to obtain data on their condition. They elaborated on their health based on vitamin D deficiency.
A survey was also conducted across Sharjah’s medical facilities to establish the trends and patterns of consumption of drugs concerning vitamin D deficiency and calcium-related complications. The survey stretched to the business sector to obtain statistical data and qualitative comments from supplement dealers.
The study majorly discovered demographic information on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, their dietary practices, exposure to the sun, immunity, and comorbidities related to low immunity. The data captured the specific figure of Sharjah’s vitamin D deficient individuals. The latter was also tied to calcium-related health issues like osteoporosis, low immunity, and weak teeth.
Sources
A demonstration of the research and search phrases are highlighted in Fig. 1. The process involved searching through databases to identify critical literature. Some of these databases and research browse include ‘EBSCOhost,’ ‘Google Books,’ ‘Science Direct,’ and ‘Google Scholar.’
However, the search was run using essential words and phrases relevant to the research topic. These are ‘vitamin D,’ ‘calcium mineral,’ ‘Hypovitaminosis D,’ ‘Osteomalacia,’ ‘Osteoporosis,’ ‘Calcium,’ and ‘Vitamin.’ Age and relevance filters were further used to qualify or discredit material found using this technique. For instance, papers were only considered if published after 2015 to increase data relevance and accuracy. Twelve articles were eventually considered after critical evaluation for relevance to the study.
Research Agents Used and the Wording Employed to Acquire the Sources
The following flow chart shows research agents and wording used to acquire data in the research;
Results
The Prevalence of Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency in UAE
UAE’s vitamin D deficiency victims rangers between 50% to 90% of the total population who suffer from osteoporosis.The study found that at least 90% of the participants were suffering from vitamin D deficiency. The conclusion that 90% of the population experienced vitamin D deficiency was drawn from the results’ multidimensional elements.
The most prevalent aspect of vitamin D deficiency across the specimen were fatigue, painful bones, and muscle weaknesses. Both young and elderly participants complained about the complications mentioned above. They were registered to have consumed painkillers and medicines addressing bone-related disorders. The medical practitioners and clinicians in the medical facilities commented on the same by asserting the vitamin D deficiency resulted in those conditions due to low calcium absorption. Data collected from medical facilities and supplement dealers indicated low supplement consumption.
While 92% of supplement dealers cited caution among Sharjah’s residents on safety issues surrounding the supplements, medical facilities stressed that UAE residents would never consume supplements whatsoever. The study group indicated an attitude and negative perception of the supplements based on perceived adverse effects and health implications conferred by supplements. Participants also stated that they were not exposed to the sun.
Nutritional entries often fail to emphasize the importance of calcium as a singular mineral in the human body. Most studies are quick to divert from this topic after highlighting the essential role of vitamin D and calcium deficiency instances. Nimri notes that “Vitamin D deficiency is most often associated with inadequate calcium intakes and causes bone degeneration or osteoporosis.”
Therefore, Ca deficiency cases are overshadowed by vitamin D deficiency issues, making it difficult to locate information for this statistic alone. However, Nimri explains the decrease in Ca intake among youth by the popularity of carbonated drinks over healthier choices like milk. Therefore, cases of vitamin D are a manifestation of Ca deficiencies that contributes to weak bones.
The Prevalence of the Usage of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements
While 70% of the study group were unaware of the importance of sun exposure in acquiring vitamin D, 30% were unconcerned with exposure to the sun. 60% of the study group indicated that they never consume foods rich in vitamin D like fish liver oils and fatty fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and trout. Laboratory tests on calcium deficiency were tied to vitamin D deficiency.
Individuals composing 90% of participants found with vitamin D deficiency were found with calcium deficiency. The figure indicated a direct relationship between vitamin D deficiency and calcium deficiency. 20% of the affected population was subjected to treatment to test the parathyroid organs’ effectiveness and roles.
The Medical Effects of the Supplements
Medical Effects of Ca Supplements
- Gas
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Prevention against osteoporosis by inhibiting osteopenia
- Formation of strong teeth and bones
- Weight loss
- Regulation of phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium in the blood
Medical Effects of Vitamin D Supplements
- Formation of strong teeth and bones
- High calcium absorption
- Regulates phosphorus and calcium absorption
- Boosting immunity and preventing depression
- Promoting weight loss
Similarities Between Vitamin D and Calcium
- Maintaining homeostasis of the skeletal system (Formation of strong bones and teeth).
- Immunity
- A healthy skeletal system produces vibrant blood cells.
- White blood cells are integral to fighting diseases.
- The body is protected from diseases like cancer, hypertension, and musculoskeletal diseases.
- The two elements need and/or rely on each other to deliberate their functions
- They can be supplied by diet and supplements.
Differences Between Vitamin D and Calcium
Vitamin D and calcium differences regard physiological elements and sources. While vitamin D is freely and naturally available from the sun and enhances Ca absorption, the final is integral for forming healthy teeth and bones. Unlike vitamin D, Ca not be obtained freely from the sun. It can be obtained from diet and supplements.
Discussion
Al Kattub (2017) argues that vitamin D deficiency predisposes individuals to heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension, liver disease, and disease. The argument encapsulates a multidimensional element on the subject because of Vitamin D and Calcium interaction and immunity development roles.
Further, organ failure is another contributing factor to the conditions mentioned above. Vitamin D is needed to facilitate calcium absorption from dietary foodstuffs, and calcium is required in order to form a robust immune system. Therefore, individuals suffering from vitamin D deficiency will undoubtedly suffer from calcium deficiency and equally low immunity.
Sharjah’s studied population is a classic reflection and illustration of the perspective issued above. The community stressed that they hardly consume vitamin D rich foods mentioned earlier and are do not bask in the sun. The sun is a free source of vitamin D. Therefore, they are not immune to the health complications and developmental problems associated with vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
Conclusion
Vitamin D and calcium is found to be an element among the study population. With the laboratory tests revealing abnormally minimal metabolites and precursors of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the participants’ confession of minimal and/or no consumption of vitamin D rich foods, the conclusion that the debate surrounds negligence and negative perception of supplements is inevitable. 90% of the specimen would have been saved via supplement consumption.
However, the negative perception of supplements prevented their consumption and informed unsatisfactory purchases from dealers. Medical and health issues found among the participants are an image of caution and safety issues posited regardless of whether they are relevant.
Arguably, the safety issues and concerns are somewhat blown out of proportion because the supplements pass quality tests and safety measures and guidelines established to guide their manufacturing and production.
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