In the not-too-distant past, the family doctor knew you well enough to recommend the proper treatment for nearly every condition. It was not unusual for him, as most family doctors at the beginning of the 20th century were men, to say, you need to spend the winter in a different climate or you need to move.
The treatment for melancholy or as it’s now known Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) was to move to a warmer, sunnier climate. It was the impetus for the saying : Go West Young Man!
Today we know that vitamin D deficiency can have a plethora of symptoms: Unexplained muscle pain, fatigue, weak bones, fractures, mood swings, lowered immunity, low energy, sleep disturbances, PMS, hormonal imbalance, slow healing from injuries, among other symptoms. Who knew that one vitamin could have such a wide range of symptoms if it reaches a critically low proportion in the body.
A simple blood test will determine if you are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Current studies suggest that outdated information suggests 400-600IU as adequate for adults. But new studies are showing that truly healthy adults need 3000-5000 IU per day with the ability for an adult to metabolize up to 10,000 IU per day without any armful side effects. Moderates suggest an intake of 2,000 IU daily.
What Vitamin D Does
Vitamin D supports mineral absorption and metabolism.
Vitamin D regulates cell differentiation (prevents cancer).
Vitamin D regulates over 200 genes.
Vitamin D promotes blood sugar regulation.
Prolonged Vitamin D Deficiency
Higher Risk of Cancer
Higher Risk of Diabetes
Higher Risk of Osteoporosis
Higher Risk of Hormone Imbalance
Higher Risk of Depression
Higher Risk of Weight Gain/Obesity
How to Get More Vitamin D
15 - 40 minutes of Sun every day, depending on your skin pigmentation.
Cod Liver Oil
Vitamin D supplement
Egg Yolks
Fortified Organic Milk
Fortified Dairy Products
Fatty Fish
4 comments:
I have been hearing more and more about this - and our family has recently begun increasing our Vitamin D supplements. Thanks for this post!
I'm glad the information is helpful to you. My daughter & I found that many of our health issues were solved when we changed climates.
Thanks for this on Vitamin D. I take A and D primarily because it helps metabolize the Calcium I take, but I think I'm going to up the anny now. I was told that Vit D could be very harmful if you overshoot the mark, will check it out.
Make sure you get Vitamin D3. Much of the Vitamin D sold is D1 or D2 (ergocalciferol), because it is cheaper. This is the form produced by invertebrates when exposed to the sun. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the kind we (and other vertebrates) produce, and that our bodies can use most easily.
Post a Comment