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July 13, 2004
Medical Panel Finds Vitamin D Deficiency
a Growing and Under-Reported Problem
-- Reduced Sun Exposure, Increased Breast Feeding,
and the Prevalence of 'Fad' Diets Seen as Contributing Factors --
Cambridge, MA July 13, 2004 - A report from a medical panel of academic and community-based Internists, Pediatricians and Dermatologists acknowledged a growing problem with Vitamin D deficiency among their patients. The panel identified three potential causes of the deficiency, all rooted in current cultural trends: 1) reduced exposure to the sun, 2) increased and prolonged breast feeding of infants, and 3) low-carb/low-fat diets that reduce or eliminate milk intake among children and adults. The panelists were unanimous in asserting that professional medical and scientific societies are not doing enough to examine or call attention to this growing problem, but were split on how best to resolve deficiency in adults and young children. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to growth, bone and neuro-cognitive development problems in children, and bone fractures in adults and the elderly.
Recent guidelines issue by the AMA encourage physicians to "ensure adequate intake" of Vitamin D and to supplement based on an assessment of risk factors. However, the majority of panelists believe that the AMA did not go far enough in its recommendations, believing that Vitamin D should be routinely administered to all infants. All panelists agreed that high-risk Americans would benefit from increasing their intake of Vitamin D.
A combination of trends was seen as contributing to Vitamin D deficiency. For example, warnings about the risks of skin cancer associated with sun exposure have resulted in increased use of sun-block, as well as sun avoidance. These behaviors may inhibit synthesis of Vitamin D through the skin. Sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D.
Lack of sun exposure has also reduced the levels Vitamin D in mothers' breast milk. This, coupled with an increase in exclusive breast feeding, has led to decreased levels of Vitamin D in infants and children. Panelists also cited a fear of violence that keeps people indoors, increased media consumption and the prevalence of low-carb/low-fat diets -- especially those reducing or eliminating milk intake.
There was a consensus among some that, while the dangers of excess sunlight are real, "reasonable" amounts of sun exposure might be beneficial. However, the majority of the group believed that sun exposure should not be medically advised. One Internist from an ivy league academic medical center noted, "Dermatologists have vilified sunlight. We need to point out to the public the benefits of safe sunlight exposure. We have not spent millions of years evolving under florescent lights." Another Internist connected with a New England academic medical center, said, "Let's not forget that the sun has been shining on our ancestors since time began, and no plague of sun-related illness has swept through recorded history…"
Regarding low-carb/low-fat diets and breastfeeding, a pediatrician from an academic medical center in the southwest, observed, "Diets high in fat, such as the Atkins diet, should include sufficient dairy products to satisfy Vitamin D requirements in health individuals. High fiber, low fat diets may raise questions regarding the bioavailability of any dietary Vitamin D or D supplement. If breast feeding is considered a 'fad', then un-supplemented breastfeeding may be detrimental to Vitamin D status since the literature suggests that Vitamin D supplementation is required." Another suggested, "Fad diets can only hurt Vitamin D and calcium consumption. Dieters are most concerned with weight loss, not their endocrine system." While another noted, "Variety and moderation are frequently missing from fad diets, increasing risk for deficiencies."
The medical panel was comprised of 10 physicians from private practice and academic medical centers in the northeast, southeast, southwest and pacific northwest. Their specialties included Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Dermatology. MedPanel conducts medical and public health studies on a bi-monthly basis as a part of its commitment to encouraging high level medical dialogue, increasing awareness and changing behavior related to significant health issues.
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MedPanel is the only medical market intelligence company providing custom and syndicated research to the life sciences industry exclusively online. MedPanel's powerful proprietary methodology and platform enable pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics companies to have greater strategic control over the development and commercialization of products, and lower costs overall. Through unparalleled access to clinicians, medical thought leaders and healthcare professionals, and through its interactive, asynchronous approach to medical panels and surveys, MedPanel is able to deliver to fast, unbiased, cost-effective and actionable data. MedPanel is a global organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.