The Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic
Do you know what your Vitamin D level is? Chances are you don’t and chances are it’s low. Research seems to be coming out almost daily about the effects of Vitamin D deficiency and how many people are deficient. Estimates range from about 35% in young people to 100% in the elderly.
There is a growing awareness of how critical Vitamin D is to our health. There have been many studies on various diseases and conditions which point to Vitamin D deficiency as playing a relevant role. Recent research indicates that the following may be associated with Vitamin D deficiency:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- cognitive impairment and dementia.
- hypertension which may cause high blood pressure
- metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type II diabetes
- heart disease
As you can see most of the above are related to inflammation. People with higher levels of Vitamin D also have better lung capacity, something that could be important to asthma sufferers.In fact, in the May 1, 2009 issue of American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston report a link between insufficient levels of vitamin D and increased severity of asthma in children.
There is now increasing evidence that Vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in the increase in autism. Vitamin D goes through two biochemical processes which ultimately produces calcitriol, which affects brain cell development. Some research indicates that a low Vitamin D level in a pregnant mother will affect brain development in the baby. The research while not conclusive, at this time, gives hope for a solution to the increasing incidence of autism.
Vitamin D is also essential for the absorption of calcium which children need to grow health bones and adults need to prevent osteoporosis.
Vitamin D is not something we get in large quantities from food but rather something we absorb from sunshine. As we have become a society who spends more and more time indoors or covered up when we’re outdoors, our Vitamin D levels have dropped. And many of us live in northern climes where, at least in the winter months, there may not be a lot of sunshine. Although surprisingly, there is a large number of people in states like Florida and Texas with below normal Vitamin D levels. Taking Vitamin D3 supplements is an inexpensive and simple solution which scientists believe will give us more protection against many diseases that are on the rise.
The daily recommended dosage of Vitamin D3 has changed drastically recently as more data becomes available. Cancer prevention specialists at the University of California are now recommending as much as 1000 IU/day. There are actual studies which show Vitamin D3 is effective in treating and preventing prostate and colon cancer and new studies are indicating the same may be true for many other types of cancer.
Remember the blood test for Vitamin D levels is inexpensive and can be easily added on to any blood test you may have. The recommended level of Vitamin D is 75-125 nmol/L. Check with your doctor before beginning any new supplementation.
Karen Davison helps people live a healthier, longer, more energetic life. Karen’s passion is helping others discover and realize their dreams, so they too can choose the lifestyle they desire. Learn more about health and nutrition at http://www.metabolicplan.wordpress.com
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