Cod liver oil: The elixir that could save generations from vitamin D deficiency – Aktual24

In the past, cod liver oil was a common remedy to prevent the development of rickets and other health problems due to its high vitamin D and vitamin A content. in the prevention of vitamin D deficiencies, especially in the case of children, when deficiencies in this nutrient were associated with rickets, a disease that affects growing bones, according to BBC.

During World War II, the British government distributed free cod liver oil to children under the age of 5, and this helped reduce the number of cases of rickets. Food fortification with vitamin D has become a common practice in many countries, including the UK and the United States, where products such as margarine, milk and cereals are fortified with vitamin D to increase against dietary deficiencies.

However, in the mid-20th century, food fortification in Britain was partially stopped after cases of hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood) emerged, linked to excessive consumption of vitamin D. In the 1950s, fortification limit, with the exception of margarine and baby formulas. In 2013, margarine fortification was completely abolished in the UK, and the population was encouraged to take vitamin D supplements, but this recommendation was not widely followed.

Surprisingly, starting with the 2000s, rickets returned. Recent statistics show that there is a significant increase in hospitalizations caused by rickets in Britain, and that a large part of the population, especially children and people with darker skin, suffer from severe severe vitamin D deficiencies, especially during the winter months. More accurate blood tests have shown that almost 40% of children and 30% of adults in the UK are vitamin D deficient in winter, and this problem is exacerbated by the climate with very little of hours of sunshine.

As cases of rickets increase and vitamin D deficiencies become a major public health problem, the UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is now considering the possibility of reintroducing mandatory fortification of foods with vitamin D. to prevent fortification, it would be caused by a rare genetic disease that affects vitamin D absorption, not by eating too much fortified foods.

The return of firmness or even the consumption of cod liver oil could be one of the solutions to combat vitamin D deficiencies and prevent rickets from recurring at alarming rates. In a context where exposure to the sun is limited and climate change may contribute to the lack of sunlight in the future, vitamin D supplementation and the reintroduction of food fortification measures appear to be on the agenda. the authorities’ business again.