Question

Anthony - Anthony lives in Western Washington and is currently staying at home due to Covid-19 Stay Home Stay Safe Order (he does not have the virus). Over the last couple weeks Antonio has experienced increased stress, fatigue, cravings for foods heavy in carbohydrates and fat, and a feeling of despair. Normally Anthony loves to exercise, socialize, and have fun, but lately he is much more likely to just lay down and sleep. His body feels heavy and lethargic and he has little motivation to go outside. Anthony has lived in Western WA for the past 14 months and prior to that he lived in California.

How will his decrease in sunshine impact absorption of certain materials in the small intestines and what type of systematic (rest of the body) effects will that have?

Answer 1

The sunlight is main source of vitamin D. The sunlight entering the skin helps in synthesis of vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 plays an important part in calcium absorption by the intestine. Calcium is absorbed in the intestine by a transcellular active transport process which requires Calcium- selective ion channel, CaT1 and calcium bindinding protein. Both of them require vitamin D for adequate functioning.
Also vitamin D is necessary for gut microbiota which aids in the process of digestion.
As the decreased amounf of exposure to sun reduces vitamin D in body, calcium absorption is affected. This results in mobilization of calcium stored from the bone resulting in weak bones. Also reduced vitamin D3 affects the gut microbes which results in impaired absorption of macro and micronutrients. This results in decreased energy leveld in the body giving rise to fatigue, lethargy and weakness.