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In 18th century England, there was a common bone condition in children known as rickets, caused by a lack of vitamin D. Despite poor living and working conditions being prevalent at the time, experts suggest that this cannot be solely held responsible for the prevalence of rickets.
Scientists have discovered fresh proof indicating that individuals who resided in England during the Industrial Revolution may have experienced a lack of vitamin D due to decreased sunlight exposure during the winter season.
A group of researchers from the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand examined the teeth of 25 individuals found at a burial site in North Shields, a town located on the northern bank of the River Tyne during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Studying the effects of vitamin D deficiency on past populations can provide valuable insight into the disease from a historical perspective.
The scientists reported that a significant number (76%) of the teeth examined contained indicators linked to a lack of vitamin D.
The researchers stated that these markers were regularly present in the dental samples, appearing in yearly intervals. This indicates that vitamin D deficiency may be a seasonal disorder.
Findings also showed vitamin D deficiency to be more prevalent in males compared with females but the researchers said social dynamics – such as gendered work practices in industrial England – may have played a role.
Dr Annie Sohler-Snoddy, research fellow in the University of Otago in New Zealand, said their work, published in the journal Plos One, is the first clear evidence of seasonal vitamin D deficiency in an archaeological sample.
She stated that there has been a common belief that illnesses resulting from a lack of vitamin D, such as rickets, were caused by factors such as increased indoor work, crowded living conditions, and exposure to pollution.
However, she stated that although these factors may have played a role in preventing individuals from getting sufficient sunlight, the results imply that it was a more intricate issue than just the effects of the industrial revolution, such as spending more time working indoors.
According to Dr. Sohler-Snoddy’s research, the amount of vitamin D produced in the skin is greatly affected by the latitude and the availability of sunlight during different seasons.
The researchers also suggested that an inadequate diet may have contributed, noting that despite residing near the coast, these individuals had minimal intake of marine fish, which is a significant source of vitamin D and could have helped offset seasonal deficiencies.
Currently, having insufficient levels of vitamin D is linked to numerous adverse health consequences, such as a higher susceptibility to infections, heart disease, and cancer.
Dr. Sohler-Snoddy mentioned that there is a persistent issue of vitamin D deficiency in society. It is crucial to examine the past events to inform current methods of addressing this condition.
She stated that while we often view archaeological human remains as belonging to a separate world, our biology has not undergone any changes in the past 200 years.
“Teeth are a crucial source of information for archaeologists as they develop in a highly specific timeline and their tissues remain unchanged throughout the individual’s lifespan.”
This refers to the preservation of a person’s developmental record, which remains with them until their death or until the tooth is lost.
Studying the effects of vitamin D deficiency on previous populations and the reasons behind it provides valuable historical insight into the illness.
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