The London Clinic supports increasing awareness of the impact
of vitamin D deficiency
9 February 2012
The risks of vitamin D deficiency have been much documented in
the news of late, with the reduced daylight hours during the winter
months resulting in lower exposure to sunlight, which is required
for the body to make the vitamin. The diet does not on its own
provide sufficient vitamin D to maintain adequate levels.
Dr William Marshall, Clinical Director of
Pathology and Consultant Clinical Biochemist at The London Clinic,
says “Vitamin D is important not only to maintain strong bones and
allow normal growth in children, it is also involved in muscle
function and the maintenance of a healthy immune system. It also
helps the body to use the calcium and phosphorus obtained from your
food and regulates normal cellular differentiation, thus helping to
prevent cancer. If exposure to the ‘sunshine vitamin’ is limited,
deficiency can occur, and this can eventually lead to osteomalacia
– a disease that causes the bones to become weak and painful. Other
associated conditions include muscle weakness, an increased risk of
diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.”
Dr Marshall goes on to state “Sub-optimal
blood vitamin D levels are very common, especially during the
winter, and some people are more at risk of deficiency, in
particular pregnant women, breastfed babies and people with black
or Asian skin types, and the longer term health impact is
considerable. It is important to be aware of the risks. Deficiency
can be detected by a simple blood test and, once identified, is
simple to treat with supplements.”
The London Clinic's state-of-the-art pathology
laboratory can provide vitamin D tests and results within four
hours. Patients must visit their GP or consultant for a referral
for any blood tests.
ENDS
For more press information, or to talk
to an expert, please contact The London Clinic Press Office on 020
8786 3860 or at pressoffice@thelondonclinic.com
Notes to Editors
The London Clinic
• The London
Clinic is the UK’s largest independently-owned non-profit
hospital
• Over 250
patient beds and 12 operating theatres including dedicated
endoscopy suites and a day surgery unit
• 24 hour
consultant-led Intensive Care Unit with 11 beds
• As a
registered charity, The London Clinic is able to continuously
reinvest in the latest medical technology, facilities and clinical
and nursing support
• Highly complex
procedures in addition to routine surgery and medicine such as
organ transplants, radiosurgery, radiotherapy, robotic surgery and
neurosurgery
• Located on
Harley Street in the heart of London’s medical community
• Long-standing
international reputation attracting leading consultants for 80
years