Vitamin D – It’s what you need!
October 1st, 2008Vitamin D Deficiency
Us Michiganders and those other Up North people are just not getting the Vitamin D from the sun that is so vital. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin made from cholesterol in the skin in the presence of UVB light. It is also a steroid hormone and very necessary in many glandular functions. Sun block prevents Vitamin D production through the skin. I know, the sun has been sent to “The Dark Side” as bad for us, but actually it’s vital – just don’t get burned!
Light skinned people can make five to ten times the amount of Vitamin D as dark skinned people, so darker skinned individuals can be more deficient. UV light does not penetrate glass. If you are not being exposed to direct sunlight for at least 30 minutes a day, you are not making any Vitamin D.
Why Should You Do a Vitamin D Test?
- Because studies have clearly shown that the population has become severely deficient in Vitamin D over the last 20 years. This is due to the widespread misconception that the sun’s rays are harmful, damaging and should be avoided.
- Cancer Prevention – healthy Vitamin D levels decrease the incidence of ALL forms of cancer by 30-60%. There is a huge database of studies documenting this. Go to www.vitaminDcouncil.com for more information.
- Mood support, natural antidepressant and overall mental health and brain function. All forms of mood disorders and cognitive functions have responded positively to optimizing Vitamin D levels.
- Immune system support and protection from or reversal of autoimmune disorders. The immune system cannot function normally without optimal Vitamin D levels, and autoimmune disorders have been clearly related to deficiency in this vitamin.
- Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and other degenerative diseases. It’s all well studied, proven and documented.
- Male and female steroid hormone balance, overall energy, stamina, libido and performance enhancement. When Vitamin D is fully activated by the liver and kidneys, it becomes a steroid hormone.
The correct test to order is 25-OH-Vitamin D. All blood labs perform this test. One can either come into our office and we can arrange a blood test, or one can go to a local doctor or physician and where they can also perform one.
The optimal levels of Vitamin D to achieve are 45-100 ng/ml. Most lab values allow the ranges to go much lower than that. To bring your Vitamin D levels up to optimal ranges, take 15,000 – 20,000 IUs of Vit D3 which is cholecalciferol for 3-4 weeks and then retest. You can add sun exposure as well. Vitamin D works with and must be in balance with bioavailable and ionizable calcium and Vitamin F to perform its important functions. As always, hair analysis to determine your actual mineral levels and imbalances is important to achieve optimum health. Contact us for more information: info[at]NaturalBodyinBalance.com
Your friend in balance,
Dr. Maegan (Davis)
www.naturalbodyinbalance.com
The above information was taken from Dr. Janet Lang’s 2008 Balancing Hormones in Menopausal Women Seminar. It has been reprinted with permission by Lang Integrative Health Services, LLC copyright 2008, All rights reserved.
