Vit D intake helps lungs function well

Washington: A recent study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference suggest that teens who have a low dietary intake of vitamin D have significantly lower lung function in comparison to teens who consume more, or at least the recommended amount of the nutrient.

The study of 2,112 adolescents between ages 16 to 19 found that 35 per cent consumed below 200 IU (international units) of vitamin D, the recommended amount for this age group. There was no difference between girls and boys.

"These are adolescents who should have optimal pulmonary function," said lead researcher Jane Burns, ScD, a research fellow in the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard University School of Public Health in Boston.

"If they're already showing lower pulmonary function associated with lower vitamin D intake at this age, it may have long-term effects on their health," Burns added.

Vitamin D is found in enriched dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver. Some calcium supplements also have vitamin D, he added.

Apart from Vitamin D being an important nutrient for strong bones as it helps the body absorb calcium, recent studies have also suggested that it has a significant role in lung health.

The researchers chose to base their study on teenagers because this age group often has poor eating habits, and so they may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of dietary deficiencies due to their rapid physical growth and development.

"Vitamin D is promoted in terms of bone growth, but we also need to think in terms of vitamin D's other effects on the body. It may be that we should be promoting dietary vitamin D intake at recommended levels to ensure optimal lung function as well as to form and maintain healthy bones," Dr. Burns said.

However, while vitamin D's exact role in lung health is not yet known, the nutrient is known to have an effect on the immune system, as Dr. Burns added, "We don't know by which mechanism vitamin D affects pulmonary function--it's an area that needs to be explored."