Vitamin D ••• Your Health Depends on It (part 1 of 2)

It’s estimated that over 90 percent of all chronic health conditions could be prevented by managing and lowering stress levels, consuming a nutrient-dense real food diet, daily exercise and sunlight. Vitamin D is produced endogenously when our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays from sunlight.

 

Vitamin D is more than just a vitamin, it’s a fat-soluble steroid hormone precursor that impacts over 2,000 genes that turn on and turn off specific genes (epigenetics) that can alter our vulnerability to disease.

 

We’re consistently told to stay out of the sun, to wear hats and cover ourselves with sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. By following this advice, our levels of vitamin D are significantly reduced resulting in vitamin D deficiency. Millions of people are subject to developing serious diseases because their vitamin D levels are too low.

 

Although sunlight is important to vitamin D synthesis, it’s important to limit excessive exposure of your skin to sunlight because UV radiation is a carcinogen when in excess can cause skin cancer and melanoma. Exposure to small amounts of sunlight, 20-30 minutes daily is essential for optimal health.

 

Did you know?

• According to a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, over 70 percent of Caucasian and 97 percent of African-Americans in the U.S. have insufficient blood levels of vitamin D.

• In the journal Anticancer Research, scientists reported that most people need a much higher intake of vitamin D. Doing so could decrease your risk of serious illness, including cancer by 50 percent!
• There is a direct association between skin aging and vitamin D 25(OH)D levels.
• A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed a link between vitamin D levels and the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue, which is important for muscle strength.
• The New England Journal of Medicine states that 50 percent of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are deficient in vitamin D.
• One of every 7 teenagers in the U.S. is deficient in vitamin D. Overweight teens are 2x as likely to be deficient as teenagers of healthy weight. Girls had twice the risk of boys.
• Low vitamin D levels reduce muscle power and force in adolescent girls.
• During pregnancy, vitamin D deficiency may increase chances of elevated blood pressure and diabetes in mothers, and induce her immune system to make antibodies that can damage the baby’s brain and cause certain genes to malfunction resulting in weakened bones in their offspring and an increased risk of autism.
• Those age 50 and older are at increased risk of developing vitamin D insufficiency. As people age, their skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently and the kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active hormone form.
• Older women who skimp on vitamin D rich foods (fatty fish, pastured butter) are more likely to develop breast cancer, according to Frank Garland, Ph.D. of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at UCSD.
• Higher serum 25-OH Vitamin D levels are associated with longer telomeres and lower C-reactive protein levels in women. The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it is thought that vitamin D's ability to attenuate the pro-inflammatory response helps prevent telomere shortening. Longer telomere length may delay the onset of age-related chronic disease.
• Vitamin D helps to increase testosterone levels according to a study published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.
• People with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D tend to have lower immune function, more colds and cases of the flu
• Vitamin D levels are inversely associated with depression.

Why is Vitamin D so important?

• Vitamin D is an immune system regulator. The higher your vitamin D level, the lower your risk of contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory tract infections. We often think of vitamin C for colds, however low vitamin D levels are associated with compromised immunity and increased mortality.
• Do you want protection from the flu? Instead of a toxic flu shot, be consistent with Bio D Mulsion Forte, zinc and N-acetyl cysteine.
• Reduce your risk of cancer. Vitamin D can reduce 78% of all cancers! Optimal vitamin D levels significantly decrease PSA levels in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Vitamin D is important for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, which is required for healthy bones and prevention of osteoporosis. Vitamin D is a synergist to calcium and magnesium.
• Optimal vitamin D levels reduce risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, MS and cancer. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common in those with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
• Research from the Medical College of Georgia revealed that vitamin D is linked to maintaining a healthy body weight and helps prevent obesity.
• Vitamin D helps the body control calcium levels. When the body is deficient in either vitamin D or calcium, there is an increase in fatty acid synthase, an enzyme that converts calories into fat. Vitamin D deficiency causes more calories to be stored as body fat, particularly in the abdominal region.
• Vitamin D plays a key role in brain function later in life.

Part 2 – How to Optimize Your Vitamin D

Risks and conditions that increase chances of vitamin D deficiency

• Those with dark skin
• Cloud cover or living farther away from the equator
• Digestive dysfunction and leaky gut syndrome that limits absorption of vitamin D – some people’s digestive tracts are unable to absorb vitamin D due to problems such as leaky gut, Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and Crohn’s disease.
• Inadequate sunlight exposure and sunscreen use. Out bodies produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed (without sunscreen) to sunlight. Our ability to absorb vitamin D from the sunlight diminishes as we age.
• People spend more time indoors nowadays and there is less exposure to sunlight, leading to vitamin D deficiency.
• Insufficient intake from foods (and absorption issues). This especially applies to those following a strict vegetarian diet since food sources of vitamin D are highest in egg yolks, pastured butter, beef liver and wild fish. 
• Kidney, liver and gallbladder dysfunction/disorders
• Medications including prednisone, cholesterol-lowering drugs and seizure meds. Several drugs increase the risk for and severity of vitamin D deficiency:
  • Allopurinol (gout) – Results in lowered levels of vitamin D.
  • Anticonvulsants – Increased risk for vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk for osteoporosis.
  • Cimetidine – Reduces the conjugation of vitamin D.
  • Oral corticosteroids, reduce calcium absorption and inhibit vitamin D formation in the liver.
  • Heparin – Interferes with vitamin D function and increases the risk for osteoporosis and osteomalacia.
  • Avoid Mineral oil; it interferes with vitamin D absorption.
• Obesity
• Older adults. As people age, their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form.
• Smog and pollution

Conditions and symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D has an effect on over 2,000 genes influencing many diseases and conditions including:

Aging & telomere length	Colds & Flu	Tuberculosis
Asthma	Cystic fibrosis	Migraines
Athletic performance	Macular degeneration	Fertility
Autism	Obesity	Rheumatoid arthritis
Cancer	Hypertension	Heart disease
Depression	Alzheimer’s disease	Schizophrenia
Type 1 & 2 Diabetes	Multiple Sclerosis	Crohn’s disease
Eczema & Psoriasis	Insomnia	Hearing loss
Muscle pain	Seizures	Periodontal disease

Part 2 – How to Optimize Your Vitamin D

As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," and design a healing protocol and comprehensive LIFESTYLE plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, experience vibrant health, balanced hormones, age well, and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men and women around the world, all over the U.S. and with clients locally in the Phoenix area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!

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Sources available upon request.

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