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Vitamin D Deficiencies at Epidemic Levels
Vitamin D Deficiencies at Epidemic Levels, Says New Study
May 21, 2010 Author: Ethan A. Huff Source: Natural News
Vitamin D is an amazing nutrient that protect the body from all sorts of diseases and
problems. Researchers continually uncover new links between lack of vitamin D and
disease, illustrating the fact that it is vital to good health. However recent studies
have also found that most people are deficient in vitamin D.
A team of doctors from the McGill University Health Centre in Canada was surprised
to find that about 59 percent of people evaluated were deficient in vitamin D and
about 25 percent were severely deficient. Published in the Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism, the study is allegedly the first to illustrate a definitive
link between vitamin D deficiency and an accumulation of fat in muscle tissue.
"Because it [vitamin D deficiency] is linked to increased body fat, it may affect many
different parts of the body. Abnormal levels of vitamin D are associated with a whole
spectrum of diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes, as well as
cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders," explained Dr. Richard Kremer, lead
investigator of the study.
The main reason why people are generally lacking in vitamin D is because people
spend much more time indoors than they used to. Especially with computers, people
often spend their entire days inside cubicles where they are exposed to little or no
sunlight.
Vitamin D is not produced in the body on its own. It is created when skin is exposed
to sunlight. Some foods contain vitamin D, but in minimal amounts compared to what
can be achieved from sun exposure. Most people also do not consume enough
vitamin D-rich food to obtain adequate amounts of it.
The McGill study highlights an important link between vitamin D and obesity that,
until now, has been largely ignored. Vitamin D deficiency contributes to decreased
muscle and increased fat, which is a condition that is increasingly common in
industrialized nations. Though diet also plays a role in obesity, it is striking to see
vitamin D playing a role in the condition as well.
Perhaps the reason why vitamin D deficiency is linked to all sorts of serious
diseases has more to do with the increase in visceral fat that it causes, which in turn
leads to such health problems. This study seems to confirm that notion.
The best way to address vitamin D deficiency is to get more sunlight. But when this
is not possible, particularly throughout the winter months when the sun is at a lower
angle and the ultraviolet (UV) rays are at a minimum, supplementation with vitamin D
is the next best option.
The study itself did not confirm one way or another the effectiveness of vitamin D
supplementation in reducing fat and increasing muscle, however tests have shown
that supplementation does increase blood levels of vitamin D. Many people take
vitamin D supplements to alleviate their deficiency and have experience good results.
Currently, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D is between 200 and
400 international units (IU) per day, depending on age. Recent studies are showing
that these recommendations are too low to maintain optimal health. Some are
suggesting that these guidelines be updated to amounts upwards of 1,000 IU per
day, including the Canadian Cancer Society.
On a typical summer day, 15 to 20 minutes of sunlight exposure will result in the skin
producing about 40,000 IU of vitamin D. At this point, the mechanism that produces
it shuts off in order to prevent the body from making too much.
With these levels in mind, many naturopathic doctors recommend supplementing
with up to 10,000 IU a day or more. Many believe it is difficult to take too much
vitamin D because the safe upper limits are much higher than previously thought.
Currently, the best form of vitamin D is D3, or cholecalciferol, because it is the
precursor to the type created by the body from sunlight exposure. Vitamin D3 can
be safely taken at amounts much higher than the RDA guidelines.
Safe tanning beds are another option for achieving optimal vitamin D levels without
taking a supplement. Despite recent reports that they are unsafe and cause skin
cancer, some tanning beds can be used properly and safely to obtain UV rays when
regular sunlight is not an option. These beds use electronic ballasts instead of
magnetic ballasts that emit electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), which can cause
cancer and other health issues.
Dr. Mercola, another trusted source of natural health information, has a helpful
directory of healthy tanning locations across the country. There are also companies
that sell these tanning beds for home use.
If you are unsure about your vitamin D levels and wish to consult with your
physician, a simple blood test will determine your levels. Whichever route you
choose to take, just be sure to get enough vitamin D. Your body will thank you.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/s...
May 21, 2010 Author: Ethan A. Huff Source: Natural News
Vitamin D is an amazing nutrient that protect the body from all sorts of diseases and
problems. Researchers continually uncover new links between lack of vitamin D and
disease, illustrating the fact that it is vital to good health. However recent studies
have also found that most people are deficient in vitamin D.
A team of doctors from the McGill University Health Centre in Canada was surprised
to find that about 59 percent of people evaluated were deficient in vitamin D and
about 25 percent were severely deficient. Published in the Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism, the study is allegedly the first to illustrate a definitive
link between vitamin D deficiency and an accumulation of fat in muscle tissue.
"Because it [vitamin D deficiency] is linked to increased body fat, it may affect many
different parts of the body. Abnormal levels of vitamin D are associated with a whole
spectrum of diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes, as well as
cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders," explained Dr. Richard Kremer, lead
investigator of the study.
The main reason why people are generally lacking in vitamin D is because people
spend much more time indoors than they used to. Especially with computers, people
often spend their entire days inside cubicles where they are exposed to little or no
sunlight.
Vitamin D is not produced in the body on its own. It is created when skin is exposed
to sunlight. Some foods contain vitamin D, but in minimal amounts compared to what
can be achieved from sun exposure. Most people also do not consume enough
vitamin D-rich food to obtain adequate amounts of it.
The McGill study highlights an important link between vitamin D and obesity that,
until now, has been largely ignored. Vitamin D deficiency contributes to decreased
muscle and increased fat, which is a condition that is increasingly common in
industrialized nations. Though diet also plays a role in obesity, it is striking to see
vitamin D playing a role in the condition as well.
Perhaps the reason why vitamin D deficiency is linked to all sorts of serious
diseases has more to do with the increase in visceral fat that it causes, which in turn
leads to such health problems. This study seems to confirm that notion.
The best way to address vitamin D deficiency is to get more sunlight. But when this
is not possible, particularly throughout the winter months when the sun is at a lower
angle and the ultraviolet (UV) rays are at a minimum, supplementation with vitamin D
is the next best option.
The study itself did not confirm one way or another the effectiveness of vitamin D
supplementation in reducing fat and increasing muscle, however tests have shown
that supplementation does increase blood levels of vitamin D. Many people take
vitamin D supplements to alleviate their deficiency and have experience good results.
Currently, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D is between 200 and
400 international units (IU) per day, depending on age. Recent studies are showing
that these recommendations are too low to maintain optimal health. Some are
suggesting that these guidelines be updated to amounts upwards of 1,000 IU per
day, including the Canadian Cancer Society.
On a typical summer day, 15 to 20 minutes of sunlight exposure will result in the skin
producing about 40,000 IU of vitamin D. At this point, the mechanism that produces
it shuts off in order to prevent the body from making too much.
With these levels in mind, many naturopathic doctors recommend supplementing
with up to 10,000 IU a day or more. Many believe it is difficult to take too much
vitamin D because the safe upper limits are much higher than previously thought.
Currently, the best form of vitamin D is D3, or cholecalciferol, because it is the
precursor to the type created by the body from sunlight exposure. Vitamin D3 can
be safely taken at amounts much higher than the RDA guidelines.
Safe tanning beds are another option for achieving optimal vitamin D levels without
taking a supplement. Despite recent reports that they are unsafe and cause skin
cancer, some tanning beds can be used properly and safely to obtain UV rays when
regular sunlight is not an option. These beds use electronic ballasts instead of
magnetic ballasts that emit electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), which can cause
cancer and other health issues.
Dr. Mercola, another trusted source of natural health information, has a helpful
directory of healthy tanning locations across the country. There are also companies
that sell these tanning beds for home use.
If you are unsure about your vitamin D levels and wish to consult with your
physician, a simple blood test will determine your levels. Whichever route you
choose to take, just be sure to get enough vitamin D. Your body will thank you.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/s...