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America’s Vitamin D Deficiency

America’s Vitamin D Deficiency

America’s Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is a unique nutrient that our bodies are capable of manufacturing from sunshine. And while this sounds like an easy way to get our share of this important vitamin, it turns nearly 50% of Americans are deficient in it. To make things worse, many people are currently staying indoors more, so the true numbers may be higher.

What is Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our bodies manufacture but is also found in some animal products and plant foods. It is essential because it helps the body absorb vitamin C, supports the skeletal system and supports immune health, among other things.

Vitamin D is not just one, but a family of compounds that are slightly different from each other. Vitamin D2 is found in plant-based food, while D3 is the type our bodies make and found in animal foods such as butter, beef liver and egg yolks, and lanolin. Vitamin D4 is less studied, but we do know that mushrooms are a good source for this.

Lack of vitamin D is linked to some health problems. Up until the 1940s, a skeletal disorder called rickets was devasting children in American. Rickets results in softening and weakening of the bones, and researchers eventually found that vitamin D deficiency was the cause. Surprisingly, some doctors today see the number of rickets cases growing, especially in industrialized countries. (1)

Who’s at Risk?

Just like any nutrient deficiency, some people are more at risk than others. Risk factors include:

  • Lack of sunshine
  • Using sunblock or sunscreen lotion
  • Dark skin
  • Vegan diets
  • Digestive problems or malabsorption
  • Obesity

Sunshine is necessary for the production of vitamin D, and doctors recommend spending at least 20 minutes in sunshine every day with more than 40% of the skin exposed. (2) About 50% to 90% of vitamin D is from sunlight and the rest comes from diet, but covering up while outside can stop the body from using sunshine, while cloudy days can also inhibit the sun necessary for vitamin D. Those with dark skin may need more time in the sun because darker pigmentation acts as a natural sunscreen.

Digestive problems can cause a vitamin D deficiency due to absorption problems. Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) are two of the digestive health issues that can lead to the inability to absorb certain nutrients. In addition, body fat can bind to vitamin D, making obesity a risk factor for deficiencies, as well.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Aside from rickets there are many reasons to ensure you get enough vitamin D. Here are just a few of the health benefits and the role that it plays in your body:

  • Maintains healthy levels of calcium and phosphorus
  • Maintains healthy bones and teeth
  • Supports the immune system
  • Supports lung and cardiovascular health
  • Supports the nervous system

Vitamin D can also support healthy pregnancies and nursing babies. It seems that having a sufficient amount of this nutrient provides many benefits in pregnant women. But low exposure to vitamin D in children seems to correlate with a greater risk of allergies. Maintaining healthy nutritional levels can certainly benefit both mother and child.

Sources of Vitamin D

As mentioned, sunshine is the best source, however, doctors note that even if you get adequate sunshine, your body can only make so much at once. Therefore, food sources of vitamin D are just as crucial, and may be more important when people are inside for longer periods than normal. Knowing which foods are the best sources of vitamin D can help you maintain healthy levels of it in your blood.

  • Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and tuna are excellent sources of vitamin D. These fish are also a great source of healthy Omega 3 fatty acids and protein, too.
  • Cod liver oil is taken by many for skin and digestive health as well as a source of vitamin D. In fact, just one dose can account for more than 200% of the recommended daily value
  • Mushrooms are a vegan favorite when it comes to nutritional superfoods, and mushrooms don’t disappoint. They are a great source of vitamin D as well as potassium and vitamin C.
  • Yogurt is a source of vitamin D, magnesium and potassium. Avoid the high-sugar yogurts and opt for plain. Adding your own toppings like fruit and honey can boost the nutrition count and allow you to control the amount of sugar you consume.
  • Eggs are a rich source of nutrients, but don’t throw out the yolks. Egg yolks contain vitamin D along with healthy amounts of iron and protein.
  • Ricotta cheese is considered a great source for D as well as protein. But go easy because it is also high in fat.

What About Supplements?

Even if you are an avid outdoor person or sun worshipper, sunny days are not guaranteed year-round. At the same time, it is not advisable to sit in the sun with 40% of your skin exposed if it is too cold outside. And even if sunshine exposure is adequate, vegans may have a more difficult time obtaining their vitamin D through food since sources are mainly from animal products.

Luckily, supplementing with vitamin D does have an impact when it comes from a natural source. And it makes getting your daily dose of this nutrient easy when you have to stay home, like during bad weather or for other reasons. Supplementation may also help vegans and pregnant women reap the benefits of adequate levels of vitamin D, like boosting energy and strong bones.

Keep your body strong with healthy nutrition and exercise. Focus on foods that contain vitamin D along with daily sunshine to help you maintain healthy levels of this all-important nutrient. And when life gets too busy, supplements can help fill in nutritional gaps, so you be sure that you are doing all you can to support your healthy body.

References:

1 Uday S, Högler W. Nutritional Rickets and Osteomalacia in the Twenty-first Century: Revised Concepts, Public Health, and Prevention Strategies [published correction appears in Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2017 Aug 14;:]. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2017;15(4):293‐302. doi:10.1007/s11914-017-0383-y

2 Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency. [Updated 2020 Feb 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/

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Cindy Papp

Cindy Papp

Author

Body Cleanse and Detoxification Specialist with over 22 years experience; BSc in Holistic Nutrition, C.C.T. Colon Hydrotherapist, Cert. Holistic Health Practitioner, Spiritual Guide, Energy Work, Reiki, Author, Holistic Health Researcher

For more information on Cindy visit https://www.springclean-cleanse.com/ 

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Vitamin D3 and Cholecalciferol

Life Health Balance Brand of liquid nutritional supplements

Most people have heard of Vitamin D, often called the sunshine vitamin because our bodies naturally make it from the sun. It is a necessary nutrient that helps us absorb calcium and keep our bones strong. What most of us don’t know is that Vitamin D is not just one, but a combination of nutrients with similar chemical structures. The most common forms for supplementation are D2 and D3, with the latter being the more potent version.

This is because even though both are equally absorbed into the bloodstream, only D3 can be metabolized properly by the liver and, in turn, raise the amount of D3 in the body. Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is found in some foods such as fatty fish (salmon or tuna), egg yolks and beef liver. While supplementation to maintain strong bones is associated with menopausal women, the benefits of cholecalciferol go far beyond that.

Support for Healthy Bones

We’ll start with the obvious benefit of Vitamin D3; strong bones. Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that our body requires to absorb calcium and ensure it is not excreted through the kidneys. It also aids in keeping healthy phosphorus levels in the blood, which is also a component in strong bones. It is necessary for people of all ages, and some research indicates that those who lack sun exposure or regularly use sunscreen may need supplementation.

Supports Health Insulin Sensitivity 

Some research shows children who get adequate Vitamin D have less chance of developing blood sugar issues. These same studies also indicate that supplementation was just as effective as sunshine.

Helps Improve Mood

Research has shown for years that people who experience depression are deficient in Vitamin D. It is believed that the lack of sunlight, which helps the body manufacture D, leads to a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is marked by depression. This left researchers to question whether the vitamin deficiency actually caused the depression or if other factors were involved, but now it is believed that supplementation does help. Here’s why.

Recently, some small studies have shown that patients suffering from depression did benefit by taking a D supplement. Researchers generally agree that nutrient levels play a role in mental well being and areas of the brain that have Vitamin D receptors are found in the same brain regions associated with depression. This is a promising extra benefit for those who use a cholecalciferol supplement.

Promote Health Weight

In one study, dieters who supplemented with Vitamin D and calcium lost more weight than those taking a placebo. (1) Another connection to weight loss is this vitamin’s ability to reduce parathyroid hormone, which may promote health weight management.

These are just some of the health benefits from supplementing a diet with Vitamin D, or cholecalciferol. Adding coconut oil can greatly increase the body’s absorption while taking a liquid vitamin ensures it quickly enters the bloodstream. Maintain bones, immunity and overall health by adding this valuable supplement to your daily fitness regimen.

References:

1 Major, G., Alarie, F., Doré, J., & Tremblay, A. (2008). Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fat mass loss in female very low-calcium consumers: Potential link with a calcium-specific appetite control. British Journal of Nutrition, 101(5), 659-663. doi:10.1017/S0007114508030808

Cindy Papp

Cindy Papp

Author

Body Cleanse and Detoxification Specialist with over 22 years experience; BSc in Holistic Nutrition, C.C.T. Colon Hydrotherapist, Cert. Holistic Health Practitioner, Spiritual Guide, Energy Work, Reiki, Author, Holistic Health Researcher

For more information on Cindy visit https://www.springclean-cleanse.com/