So, what’s all the buzz about vitamin D??? Truth is vitamin D is in a class all by itself! When your body metabolizes vitamin D it produces “calcitriol”, a seco-steroid hormone that targets over 2,000 genes in the human body. The current research indicates vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of Cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, Parkinson’s and more! Breast and colon cancer are highly linked to low vitamin D levels.
Most everyone knows vitamin D prevents the bone disease “rickets” and is involved in keeping normal blood calcium levels for bone health as well. You need to know how important vitamin D is for your overall health as indicated in the list above. With rising Cancer occurrence continuing to spiral this vitamin/hormone is vital in maintaining immune function, which protects us from the formation of tumors and diseases. Vitamin D plays a significant role in immunity, blood cell formation and helps normal cells in their functional changes, called cell differentiation a process that can reduce cancer risk.
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in northern latitudes, like the US and Canada which makes supplementation more important for people living in these areas. Vitamin D is also necessary to maintain blood levels of insulin. Research shows evidence that supplements may increase insulin secretion for some people with adult-onset diabetes.
Ok so now you know how important this nutrient is for our health, what to do about it? Get checked. Blood testing is the only reliable way to determine how much vitamin D you or your child needs. We can help you; if you haven’t had your Vitamin D levels checked lately now’s the& time. It’s important to find out what your current levels are and if you are low. The cost of the test is less than $50 and once you’ve been tested then a regime for re-establishing normal to higher levels is next.
The absolute best prescription is to get a good dose of 15-30 minutes of sunshine daily which stimulates the conversion to the potent form “calcitriol” for your body’s many uses and contrary to popular belief, sunshine is good for us and we are supposed to expose ourselves “reasonably” to its many effects. However there are factors that can interfere with nature’s free resource; rain, cloudy days, the color of your skin, your location, and how much sunshine you’re exposed to on a regular basis. Many people are supplementing with 1,000 to 3,000 IU’s (international units) of Vitamin D2 or D3 daily, but according to the Vitamin D council that may not be enough. The Vitamin D council suggests taking 5,000 IU’s for 3 months of D3 and then get your levels checked. In specific cases as for example if you are diagnosed with cancer, higher levels are recommended – up to 8,000 -10,000 IU’s. It’s important to know what your personal health goals are.
We stock a very good source of Vitamin D3 and we can test your blood levels to be sure of your needs. Let me know how I can help you determine your personal health needs. Never forget “Health Is Normal” and we can learn and give ourselves what we need to invoke our inheritance to be healthy!