Teenagers at Highest Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency: Expert

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To solve the crisis of vitamin D deficiency, and to have a better understanding of vitamin D treatment and prevention, top scientists and clinicians from various parts of the world, have gathered in Abu Dhabi to attend the 5th International Vitamin D Conference. 

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Culture, Youth & Community Development this year’s conference entitled “Vitamin D Deficiency and Human Health” will focus on the latest research and clinical practice of vitamin D and its impact on human health throughout the life cycle.

The conference – with more than 800 delegates from 22 countries – is an important meeting point to inspire and connect leaders, decision-makers, doctors, scientists, technologists, public servants and academics, to enhance awareness, quality and safety practices.

It will also increase understanding and prevent vitamin D deficiency and how best to bring it to fruition in policy and practice for government and private sector.

The conference is of utmost importance for the UAE, as 86 per cent of the tested population is grappling with the deficiency or insufficiency.

The two-day “5th International Conference on Vitamin D Deficiency and Human Health” was inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan.

Dr Afrozul Haq, Chairman of the Conference and Scientific Committee, Principal Scientist, R&D Division, VPS Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, said that they plan to change vitamin D guidelines for the whole of GCC after consulting researchers and partners in the field of vitamin D from KSA and Kuwait.

“Lack of guidance on the indications for 25(OH) D measurements, the interpretation of the results and the correction of vitamin D deficiency has resulted in confusion among patients and health-care professionals.”

Haq studied more than 30,000 UAE nationals of all age groups and found that teenagers are the ones who suffer the most from vitamin D deficiency.

These results have been published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology last month.
According to Haq, and Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Managing Director, VPS Healthcare, to date, there are various reports signifying Vitamin D deficiency impact on autoimmune processes, several cancers, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome and pregnancy complications.
 
By Shamila Jamaluddin 
Source: http://gulftoday.ae/portal/ee038816-d28c-453d-9259-fb9ba0fdbcc9.aspx
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