Low Vitamin D levels can slow the healing of fractures in children, according to a study presented at the 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference. Researchers examined 186 cases of broken bones in children and found that those with low Vitamin D levels healed significantly slower, whether surgery was required or not.

For fractures that didn’t need surgery, children with low Vitamin D took an extra 20 days to heal, and it took two additional months for the fracture to disappear on X-rays. In cases requiring surgery, healing was delayed by a month, and fractures took nearly four more months to fade on X-rays. This highlights the key role Vitamin D plays in both preventing fractures and aiding in their proper healing.

Children need enough Vitamin D through a balanced diet and moderate sun exposure. Sunlight not only helps with Vitamin D but also reduces the risk of cancer, boosts melatonin production, and may increase longevity. It’s important to balance sun exposure carefully, as factors like diet, environment, and individual health affect how well the body absorbs sunlight and protects itself.

SOURCE:

Medical Xpress, September 27, 2024

Mercola, September 26, 2024