Vitamin D Deficiency Hits Women Harder, Says Prof. Dr. Ahmet Göçmen

Turkchem 25 Feb 2019 33 2 dk okuma

TURKCHEM

In recent years, changing living conditions, habits, spending more time indoors, dietary changes, and insufficient sun exposure are causing vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency, present in nearly 9 out of 10 people, affects women most severely. Gynecological Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Göçmen provided detailed information about the effects of vitamin D on women. While other vitamin deficiencies may not cause obvious problems, vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious complications. For this reason, vitamin D plays vital roles in the body. Vitamin D deficiency manifests itself in gynecological and obstetric conditions. During pregnancy, vitamin D use is extremely important for both maternal and child health. Since the fetus in the womb obtains its calcium requirements from the mother, adequate vitamin D levels are necessary to maintain calcium balance. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency occurs in 93 percent of women and is higher than in men. Although recent claims about a link between vitamin D and cancer have caused panic among women, there is no clear relationship between cancer and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is among the essential vitamins for the health of women, children, and men alike. Vitamin D deficiency can cause various health problems, particularly in women and children. Therefore, maintaining vitamin levels at desired levels is very important. Vitamin D has important functions in regulating calcium balance in the body, promoting bone mineral structure formation, contributing to growth and development, and strengthening the immune system. Additionally, vitamin D plays an important role in regulating uncontrolled cell growth. Various studies have shown that it helps prevent uncontrolled cell proliferation, which also defines cancer. However, more controlled research is needed to make definitive statements on this topic. Studies have shown that when vitamin D supplementation is given to those with low vitamin D levels and when it is not given, no reduction in cancer risk is observed. It should be understood that vitamin D deficiency alone is not a sign of cancer.

The importance of vitamin D during menopause

In recent years, vitamin D has been recommended for many conditions, ranging from infertility to weight loss. However, the effect of vitamin D on infertility has not been definitively proven. Saying "cancer develops because of vitamin D deficiency" can cause panic among individuals. Rather than its relationship with cancer, vitamin D has important effects on bone structure. Vitamin D is particularly important during and after menopause for maintaining healthy bone structure. During menopause, due to vitamin D deficiency, even minor falls can result in bone fractures and loss of height. Therefore, through diet and sun exposure, and when these are insufficient, appropriate amounts of vitamin D supplementation are provided. The effects of vitamin D are also important during pregnancy. Our country follows a policy of providing vitamin D to pregnant women and newborns. This is a positive and correct policy. Vitamin D plays a very effective role in preventing rickets problems, particularly in newborns. Especially in Turkey's population, life expectancy has increased from the 70s to the 80s. As age increases, bone structure deteriorates anatomically. Vitamin D is very important in preventing this. During menopause, vitamin D deficiency causes hip fractures and spinal fractures and collapse. Vitamin D deficiency can cause noticeable changes in a person's physical structure. This can negatively affect the quality of social life, particularly for women.