Know your D’s:
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate and zinc. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). The body can also synthesize vitamin D3 in the skin, from cholesterol, when sun exposure is adequate hence it’s also called the “sunshine vitamin”.
Health Risks of Vitamin D deficiency:
Only recently has medical science woken up to the importance of this Vitamin on the health of our body especially the bones and the immune system. Most problems associated with immunity can be traced back to the deficiency of this vitamin. If you have consistent bone pain and muscle weakness get your vitamin D levels checked. Low blood levels of the vitamin can lead to:
- Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Cognitive impairment in older adults
- Severe asthma in children
- Cancer
Vitamin D can also help prevent and treat Type1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension or high blood pressure, Glucose intolerance, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Ways to check your Vitamin D levels:
A blood test is the only way to measure the amount of vitamin D in your blood. The blood test you need is called a 25-hydroxy or 25(OH)D blood test.
Different organizations in the United States recommend different ideal vitamin D levels. The Vitamin D Council suggests that a range of 20 ng/ml to 50 ng/ml, is the ideal level to aim for. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.
In this educative video, Dr. Eric Berg DC explains the underlying real reasons why many people are showing low in their vitamin D levels. It’s not just a lack of sun light.
