Vitamin D~ Are You Getting Enough?

Are You Getting Enough?
Vitamin D's primary source is sunlight or vitamin supplementation.  The fact is that unless you live in Arizona (where the sun seems plentiful), chances are you may not be getting your daily necessity of this very important vitamin.  Many people tend to stay indoors during the winter months and do not receive the recommended 400IU of vitamin D per day, which may not be enough to prevent vitamin D deficiency.

If Your Body Is Deficient...
Recent reports point out that deficiencies in vitamin D have increased throughout the world's population and is becoming more widespread.  The serious repercussions result in an increasing rate of bone fractures.  When sunlight hits the skin, light induced synthesis results because ultraviolet light reacts with a form of cholesterol converting it to Vitamin D.  
After a series of reactions, similar to that of hormones, the vitamin D acts to regulate calcium and phosphorus homeostasis as well as mediate in calcium absorption.  Given these functions vitamin D is essential to tooth and bone development in children.  Without it, bones do not calcify properly, and has been sited to lead to a condition known as "rickets".  While it plays a primary role in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism, vitamin D is necessary for:  growth, ultimate strength, proper tooth eruption, a stable nervous system, normal heart action and normal blood clotting.  This nutrient can also help defend against diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.


Dr. Stewart Leavitt, a pain management specialist, says that often when patients experience chronic back pain they tend to have lower levels of vitamin D.  He suggests mentioning to your doctor about taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day.  Dr. Leavitt has found that when people increase their levels to that high an amount, their pain either disappears or is significantly reduced.
Sounds like the typical, "Drink more milk and eat more dairy," isn't actually the all time solution. Seeing as how one glass of milk contains 25% of the RDA.

Also, as you get older, your body becomes less effective at absorbing Vitamin D . So get tested. Supplements can help if your levels are low.  You should know that many minerals are dependent on others to be properly absorbed into the body.  So, how are you to know what to mix and match to provide your body with optimal absorption?  Do a lot of homework (if that's what you love to study in your spare time) or do what I do & trust your health to real scientists who know exactly what the human body needs at the right amounts.

To Your Health.
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