Vitamin C2D: Co-operate to Dominate! Part-2

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Do these vitamins have any specific deficiencies?

A severe vitamin C deficiency is known in scurvy, a disease resulting from the breakdown of collagen. Scurvy affects bone and muscle strength and it cripples the immune system causing fatigue and lethargy. Other long-term health conditions due to the lack of this vitamin include blood pressure, certain cancers and heart conditions.

Rickets and osteomalacia are classic vitamin D deficiency diseases. Rickets is seen in children and causes a softening or weakening of the bones. Osteomalacia affects adults, which causes weak bones and muscles. Elderly/obese people with limited sun exposure are also more prone to vitamin D deficiency.

How to get these vitamins in our diet?

“Vitamin C has received a great deal of attention, and with good reason. Higher blood levels of vitamin C may be the ideal nutrition marker for overall health,” mentions a study by researcher Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan. “The more we study vitamin C, the better our understanding of how diverse it is in protecting our health, from cardiovascular, cancer, stroke, eye health [and] immunity to living longer.”

“But,” Moyad also adds, “the ideal dosage may be higher than the recommended dietary allowance.”

Vitamin C can easily be procured from fruits and vegetables! The image below provides the top vitamin C rich foods. Increasing your fruit and vegetable rich in this vitamin will also help you de-stress, rejuvenate your skin, and keep you safe from common colds and infections!

Similarly, Vitamin D can be taken in by exposure to sunlight and food items such as cod liver oil, meats, poultry and dairy products. An early morning walk can do wonders for both this vitamin take and your exercise routine! Is there a family history link to these vitamins? Will I be deficient if my mother was…?

The genetic component is counted as one of the risk factors for Vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C level in our body is dependent on SLC23A2 gene. Studies has shown that a variant of this gene, found in about 28% of the general population, causes poor absorption and accumulation of vitamin C in many tissues. A higher risk for vitamin C deficiency has also been noted in Individuals with the Hp2-2 genotype. Genetically speaking, carriers of SLC23A2 variant or Hp2-2 genotype must, therefore, be extra cautious of their vitamin C levels.

Researchers have identified four gene variants in vitamin D deficiency. These common gene variants include those involved with cholesterol, vitamin D metabolism and vitamin D transport. The higher possibility of having these gene variations increases the chances/risk of an individual of developing this deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency is also hereditary in the way that if a mother has low vitamin D levels during pregnancy or when breastfeeding, then her baby (which is exclusively on breast milk) also acquires the risk vitamin D deficiency. As the child is dependent on the mother for their nutrition, mothers need to be even more cautious of their vitamin levels. Formula milk is also fortified with Vitamin D for the same reason.

How can one get tested for their Vitamin values or genetic risk for deficiency?

All clinical practitioners advise on blood tests to know the accurate levels of these vitamins before suggesting any supplements.

Genomepatri/Myfitgene is a simple, saliva based genetic test that can help you learn about the risk of vitamin deficiencies. Coupled with genetic and nutritional counseling – it helps understand your genetic risk, correlate it with your family history and current lifestyle and get recommendations accordingly.

C2D: Co-operate with your Vitamins to Dominate over their Deficiency!!!