Vitamin D
by Nelson Brunton
Today we are advised to take a supplement of Vitamin D, during the Autumn and winter. It is claimed we are suffering from a lack of this vitamin which is the cause of many conditions suffered by the average person. Especially the Old and in-firmed. Symptoms like a lack of Calcium, osteoporosis, Arthritis, Depression etc. But is this true? It is the cause or is there a misunderstand of the true cause of the sufferings.
Healing Properties of Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3
In this modern World, there is no excuse for anyone to suffer Rickets, Osteoporosis or other bone disorders. The reason for any suffering of these is because people are not getting enough Sun Light. To protect ourselves and children from the sun and prevent skin cancer, most people smother their body with high Factor sun cream. We are scare mongered into the belief that the sun is harmful and we need to protect our skin from its direct light. Since when has Mother Nature produced anything to work against her creation? The problem is that a lack of exposure to the Sun is the real cause of their condition. A severe lack of D3
However, you may ask, what is the difference between Vitamin D and D3?
Vitamin D2 is the form of D that is found in fortified foods like milk, juices or cereals etc. D regulates calcium and phosphorus in the body. This vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) can be found in some plants/fungus.
What is Vitamin D3? D3 is the form that is synthesized by the skin when it's exposed to the sun or (ultraviolet light/UVB). D3 (cholecalciferol) is the sunlight form, and can also be obtained from animals that manufactured it through their skin, like that in fish liver. Since the body can produce this, it's actually considered a hormone and not a vitamin
Where do we get it from? Vitamin D3 a compound occurring naturally in fish-liver oils used to treat rickets. Formula: C 27 H 44 O. Fifteen to twenty minutes of the sunshine each day, in the nude, helps your body manufacture about 10,000 to 15,000 iu of vitamin D3 per day.
Why do we need D3?
Vitamin D3 is both a vitamin and a hormone. It acts as a vitamin when it binds with calcium for proper absorption. Humans cannot digest calcium without adequate amounts of Vitamin D3.
The most common reasons for Vitamin D3 deficiency in today's society relates to the lack of exposure to sunlight and infrequent consumption of cold-water fish such as wild salmon, mackerel & sardines.
D3 Deficiency: We need D3 to maintain the normal bone and teeth.
- Normal absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus and the maintenance of normal blood calcium concentrations
- Normal cell division
- Normal function of the immune system and healthy inflammatory response
- The maintenance of normal muscle function
Pregnant women and Vitamin D: Your body needs vitamin D for:
• Optimum Bone Health
• Cellular Health – Helps Stop Free Radical, Cancer Causing Cells from Developing
• Organ Health – Heart, Liver, Kidneys
• Muscular Health – Strength & Stamina
• Autoimmune Health – Fight Disease and Illness
• Brain Health – Mental Acuity, Memory, and Helps Fight Depression & Mood Swings
A study in Canada reveals that it is not uncommon for pregnant women to be vitamin D deficient. Women from European (white) ethnicity had less of a deficiency than those of other ethnic groups.
Vitamin D3 deficiency can result in Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Depression, Psoriasis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Kidney Stones, Osteoporosis, & Neuro-degenerative disease including Alzheimer’s Disease. Eventually, Vitamin D deficiency may even lead to Cancer (especially breast, prostate, and colon cancers). This vitamin is also believed to play a role in controlling the immune system (possibly reducing one’s risk of cancer and autoimmune diseases), increasing neuro-muscular function and decreasing falls, improving mood, protecting the brain against toxic chemicals, and potentially reducing pain.
Rickets cases may be caused by a lack of vitamin D.
Certain communities in Cardiff England are finding cases of Rickets in children. The once thought of Victorian Age disease is now affecting children in the 21st century. Rickets can lead to bone deformities and stunted growth.
Increasing numbers of adults and even children are suffering from various types of bone abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, and mood swings - all suspected to be caused by the same culprit - vitamin D deficiency. Seems our modern-day aversion to the sun, and a heated debate among the medical community, is having a devastating impact on our bones and our overall health.
The study shows a connection between obese adolescents and vitamin D deficiency. There may be a connection between lack of sun exposure due to low-level outdoor activity and not eating enough foods that contain vitamin d, such as oily fish, eggs and fortified foods like dairy products and breakfast cereals.
With all the medical advances in the 20 the century, Vitamin D3 deficiency is still an epidemic. The problem is that most people avoid the sun these days due to fears of skin cancer. Just think about plants and what happens to them when they avoid the sun. They wither & die.
A standard blood chemistry panel will provide your doctor with your levels of vitamin D3. The test is called 25(OH)D. The existing guidelines state that a deficiency is anything below 50nmol/l, but recent studies show that 80 nmol/l is needed to keep healthy bones and enable vitamin D to perform its other roles in the body.
Foods have been supplemented with Vitamin D, but this has not resulted in an overall increase in Vitamin D levels. This is likely because food and supplement manufacturers rely on an inexpensive form of synthetic Vitamin D called “ergocalciferol”- a form of Vitamin D2.
If you have bone loss or osteoporosis, spend 20 minutes daily in the sunshine with 40% of your skin surface exposed. Morning sun is best; Don’t allow your skin to burn. Tanning Beds do not provide Vitamin D3.
Eat foods high in Vitamin D3 including Cod liver oil, fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, & sardines, egg yolks, beef liver. If you take Vitamin D supplements make sure it is Vitamin D3 and not D2. Take Vitamin D3 supplements with food. I usually recommend Vitamin D3 2000iu-5000iu/ day depending on lab levels.
Pamela Egan, MN, FNP-C, CDE is a board certified Adult & Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Educator, & Clinical Specialist in Mental Health.
A complaint is being filed against the FDA by the vitamin D council regarding policies that affect African Americans.
According to the complaint, the Vitamin D Counsel states that the FDA needs to change their food fortification policies so that milk is not the main source of vitamin D supplements to Americans. The counsel states that the FDA is aware that African Americans drink little to no milk and they require more vitamin D than Caucasian Americans. As a result of the FDA's policies, there is Vitamin D and D3 deficiency and the diseases associated with this deficiency desperately afflicts African Americans.
Healing Properties: Vaccines & anti-virals may not be as effective as vitamin D against the flu. The study shows that vitamin D and vitamin D3 can prevent flu better and more efficiently than anti viral drugs. Vitamin D and Vitamin D3 is also a healthier and cheaper alternative to antiviral drugs.
The Sun may protect you against skin cancer.
This study by professor Delgleish (who specializes in treating patients with melanoma) talks about how sun screen and avoiding the sun completely can actually increase our risk of melanoma. We need the sun on our skin to make vitamin D3 and without it, we can become vitamin D3 deficient, thus leaving us vulnerable to disease. Good vitamin D3 levels trigger a stronger immunity.
Lupus erythematosus patients and repletion of Vitamin D
Studies have shown that Lupus patients that have low levels of vitamin D can progress to more serious cases of Lupus. Studies also show a connection between vitamin D deficiency and Lupus.
Pre-diabetes and Vitamin D.
Dr. Cannell gives a commentary on a newly-completed, randomized controlled trial on vitamin D. Vitamin D may help prevent diabetes in those that are at high risk of developing the condition.
The fact is, your body must have vitamin D, and without it, your health will suffer – greatly.
