Hannah introduced herself as a 2nd year Ph.D student in the School of Applied Sciences at Napier University. Her first degree was in sport and exercise science at Heriot-Watt University. Her research is on the role of ageing and exercise on vitamin D metabolism. She described how many diseases including multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are associated with though not necessarily caused by a deficiency in vitamin D. In addition vitamin D is essential for bone health and classically a deficiency causes rickets. Hannah stated that 80% of vitamin D comes from the sun and 20% from diet. In Scotland the figures are 5% for both. In addition to intake vitamin D levels in people are affected by the number of vitamin D receptors in the body and these decline with age. Her research poses the question of whether increased exercise can increase the vitamin D receptor status. Hannah said that she was trying to show that Vitamin D is an issue. There were several searching questions and Hannah answered these expertly and honestly. The vote of thanks was given by John Dea.
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