Maximum amount of vitamin D is found in which among the following?

Appeared in: GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Explanation

Cod liver oil is an extremely concentrated source of Vitamin D, far surpassing other common dietary sources.
As per nutritional data, fish liver oils are the richest natural sources of Vitamin D, with a single tablespoon often containing more than double the daily recommended intake for an adult.
The primary role of Vitamin D is to regulate calcium and phosphate metabolism, which is crucial for bone health.
While sunlight is the main source for Vitamin D synthesis in the body, dietary intake is crucial, especially for at-risk populations.

Option A: Liver, particularly beef liver, contains Vitamin D but in much smaller quantities compared to cod liver oil. It is a richer source of other nutrients like Vitamin A and iron.
Option B: Cheese contains only small, variable amounts of Vitamin D. The content depends on the type of milk used and whether it was fortified. It is not considered a primary source.
Option C: Egg yolk is one of the few natural food sources of Vitamin D and is a good dietary contributor, but its concentration is minimal when compared to the potency of cod liver oil.

Visual 1: Infographic: A bar chart comparing the Vitamin D content (in IU) of various food sources. This would visually emphasize the high concentration in cod liver oil versus other foods like fatty fish, eggs, and fortified milk, aiding retention.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Dietary sources of Vitamin D as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients about dietary sources of Vitamin D, especially for at-risk groups like the elderly, infants, and those with limited sun exposure.
Assessment for signs of Vitamin D deficiency, such as bone pain, muscle weakness, and frequent fractures, is a key nursing responsibility.
When counseling on supplements, it's crucial to advise patients not to exceed the recommended dosage to avoid Vitamin D toxicity, a risk with fat-soluble vitamins.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key components of the question: it asks for the 'maximum amount' of a specific nutrient, 'Vitamin D', from a list of four food items.
This is a factual recall question that relies on your knowledge of nutrition.
Systematically review the options: Liver, Cheese, Egg yolk, and Cod liver oil.
Recall or reason which of these is known to be a highly concentrated source. Fish oils are famously rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Compare the options based on this knowledge. While liver, cheese, and egg yolks do contain some Vitamin D, their levels are not comparable to the concentration found in fish liver oil.
Therefore, select cod liver oil as the food with the maximum amount of Vitamin D.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.