Show Doctor I in the Kitchen by WW Bauer MD M.D. Consultant National Dairy Council VITAMIN D When I was a kid they fed me cod liver oil I hated it Even when the flavored variety came out later and I prescribed it I I didn't blame the kids for gagging on it When I went to Germany in the aftermath of World War II to help rebuild the public health structure of the country a German German Ger man doctor told me about giving cod liver oil to the children to help compensate for the drastic wartime shortage of fats Have to give it to them in 10 the dispensary he said If we send the bottle home the family uses it for frying potatoes I guess he saw me shudder because because be cause he gave me the German equivalent of the dont like dont be like that expression and added You should try them they are delicious s. s It Prevents Rickets The Norse nations and other sea deep fishermen ate the livers of the cod and other fish and they were notable for their sturdy body structure and freedom from the bone disease commonly commonly com com- called rickets Eskimos ate the whole fish including livers Tropical peoples and those who lived in mild sunny localities were not prone to rickets as were those who lived in hi more severe and less sunny climates Medical research has demonstrated that the action of sunlight upon sterols fatty substances in the skin produces an equivalent to the cod liver oil ingredients which prevent rickets Collectively these are known as r k vitamin D. D Chemically these are sterols related to cholesterol It is no longer necessary to give dve babies and children cod liver oil as such The anti rachitic anti rachitic factor has been isolated not only from the livers of the cod but from those of the tuna salmon halibut shark and sea deep-sea perch It is producible also by irradiating yeast milk and other sources of For babies vitamin D Dis Dis Dis is available in the drops known to every mother Bones Dones And Teeth Affected Vitamin D plays an important role in bone tooth and other body functions in which calcium and phosphorus are re concerned including including ing the integrity of blood muscles and nerves It is most important during the early years of rapid growth and development especially especially espe espe- in the formation of a strong and properly structured skeleton and good teeth It is also important important tant for pregnant women and nursing mothers In areas where there is a normal normal nor nor- mal sunny summer and not too prolonged and severe a winter the ordinary milk supply carries enough vitamin D for adults For children supplementation may maybe maybe maybe be medically advised Virtually all milk fresh or evaporated evaporated eva eva- is now fortified to provide pro vide units of vitamin D per quart The fortification of nonfat dry milk has also been proposed by medical medic l authorities But other foods except for infant infant in in- fant formulas should not be fortified fortified for for- with this vitamin since use over-use may carry hazards |