Vitamin D deficiency for the first time visible after cremation

Date:
October 25, 2021
Source:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Summary:
The cremation process destroys a lot of information that can
usually be obtained from the human skeleton. Especially diseases are
difficult to observe. Researchers have now found a way to reveal
some of the information. For the first time, they have succeeded
in detecting vitamin D deficiency in cremated human remains.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The cremation process destroys a lot of information that can usually
be obtained from the human skeleton. Especially diseases are difficult
to observe.

This has caused a paucity in our knowledge of the disease load
in populations that practiced cremation as their main funerary
ritual. Dr. Barbara Veselka and Prof. Christophe Snoeck, of the Brussels Bioarchaeology Lab and research groups MARI and AMGC for the first time
have detected vitamin D deficiency in cremated human remains.


==========================================================================
Dr. Barbara Veselka: "The results from our study represent a major
step forward in the fields of biological anthropology, archaeology,
and palaeopathology by opening up a variety of new possibilities for the
study of health and activities related to sunlight exposure of numerous
past populations that practiced cremation as their funerary ritual." The
study was published in the academic journal Scientific Reports.

Burning experiments As part of the Brussels Bioarchaeology Lab
(www.bb-lab.be) and the MARI and AMGC research groups, Dr. Barbara
Veselka and Prof. Christophe Snoeck conducted burning experiments using
an archaeological sample of 17 paired teeth.

Veselka: "We conducted burning experiments with teeth to assess
the visibility of interglobular dentine, a mineralization defect in
the dentine attributed to vitamin D deficiency, in teeth burned at
temperatures varying from 600 to 900DEGC. Our study is the first to
demonstrate that this defect is still visible at temperatures up to
900DEGC. This enables, for the first time, the identification of vitamin
D deficiency in cremated human remains." Sixteen pairs of molars came
from the cemetery of Koekelberg, Belgium, and one pair of canines came
from the cemetery of the Broerekerk Zwolle, the Netherlands. From each
pair, one unburnt tooth was microscopically evaluated via thin section
for interglobular dentine. The other tooth was burned at temperatures
of 600, 800, or 900DEGC. Duration of the burning process was 2, 4, or
8 hr. Each of the burnt teeth were examined for interglobular dentine
and compared to their unburnt counterparts.

Study of sunlight exposure in the past The fact that interglobular
dentine is still visible in teeth burned at temperatures of 900DEGC
is remarkable and allows the assessment of vitamin D deficiency in
past populations. Moreover, the age at which the disease occurred, the
severity of the deficit, and if the disease was recurrent can also be determined. Since most of vitamin D deficient cases can be attributed
to limited exposure to adequate amounts of sunlight, information on the
age of occurrence aids in the reconstruction of daily activities related
to sunlight exposure.

Veselka: "This innovative study stimulates more bioarchaeological
research, which will increase our understanding of the influence
environmental and sociocultural variables have on individuals." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Vrije_Universiteit_Brussel. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Veselka, B., Snoeck, C. Interglobular dentine attributed to
vitamin D
deficiency visible in cremated human teeth. Scientific Reports,
2021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00380-w ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211025101741.htm

--- up 7 weeks, 4 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)