[Indices of calcium and phosphorus balance in different variants of protein-vitamin deficiency]

The effect of unbalanced nutrition on mineral metabolism has been demonstrated. The leading role in the maintenance of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis has been found to belong to vitamin D. It has been shown, however, that retinol, thiamine, riboflavine and pyridoxine as well as polyvitamin deficiencies are capable of producing an adverse effect on the calcium and phosphorus balance. Deficiency of food proteins results in an appreciable reduction in the blood mineral content and in another deterioration of the calcium and phosphorus balance. The studies have shown that different hypovitaminoses and protein deficiency are implicated in the development of rachitis.