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I am speaking of vitamin D. In the past few years we have experienced an explosion of discoveries about how important vitamin D is for our bodies.
 Vitamin D is the vitamin we absorb from sunlight through our skin and eyes. It is transformed in the body to vitamin D3, the bioactive version of the vitamin.
Some of the positive effects of adequate vitamin D include better bone health, protection against Multiple Sclerosis and some cancers, better blood sugar control, improved leg strength in the elderly (who then don’t fall as readily), and even improved tooth-gum attachments.
Recent studies are suggesting that adequate vitamin D levels reduce the risk of getting sick from a viral illness.
You might be saying “I am in the sun a lot. Why do I need to take vitamin D?” Too many people, however, are deficient in this important vitamin. Theoretically, if you are in the sun for 12 to 15 minutes between 10 AM and 3 PM from spring through the fall months in a temperate climate, you should get enough vitamin D. However there are several factors that can prevent your utilizing this vitamin D.
First, if you live in the higher latitudes of the United States, the rays are not strong enough. Secondly, many people now wear sun glasses and sun screen when they are outside which impedes their absorption. Thirdly, toxins can prevent us from converting the vitamin D we absorb into the active vitamin D3 form. We already know that heavy metals like mercury and lead will impair our ability to convert. I suspect we will find that toxic chemicals we store in our lymphatics and other tissues will also impede conversion.
The bottom line here is to check your vitamin D level. Ask your doctor for a blood test for a 25 hydroxy  vitamin D3 level. You want your level to be no less than ½ of the normal reference range.
If you need to replenish, a number of companies are now providing vitamin D3 supplements. Be sure your supplement is in the D3 form as that is the active vitamin D used by the body. The minimum dosage is 400 international units (iu’s) per day. If you are terribly deficient consider dosages of 2000 iu’s per day or more. It is possible to have too much vitamin D, but if you monitor your level with your doctor, this should not be a problem.
Best wishes to all of you for a healthy New Year. |
