Do you remember Cod Liver oil? The awful tasting stuff your mother or grandmother would make you take when you were sick or if you were lucky every day. Well you might not think so then but today science has proven it was and is REALLY GOOD STUFF. One of the reasons is the high amount of Vitamin D in it.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin found in very few foods with cod liver oil having the highest quantities. It also can naturally be made by our bodies when the ultraviolet rays of the sun hit our skin.
Why is it Important?
Not only is it important for the strength of our bones and calcium absorption but research is finding that Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to certain autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, dementia and certain cancers. WOW right.
Who is lacking Vitamin D ?
Although research varies it is estimated that more than 90 % of Americans have low levels of Vitamin D and children are becoming more and defieincent. But here is a list of groups who are most at risk:
Breast Fed Infants,
Older Adults
People with limited sun exposure
People with dark skin
People with problems digesting fat
Obese people
And those who have had Gastric Bypass
Some Drugs prevent Vitamin D absorption
Certain Steroids like Prednisone
Both the weight-loss drug Xenical and Alli and the cholesterol-lowering drugs Questran, LoCholest, and Prevalite can reduce the absorption of vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins And the anti-seizure medicine Dilantin.
How do I know my Vitamin D levels?
Many doctors are prescribing Vitamin D testing for patients, but you can also request it. There are take home Vitamin D Deficiency test that will cost you about $65. If you are into saving money you might want to consider just taking Vitamin D.
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How do I get enough Vitamin D?
Northerners don't expect the sun to the do the job from October to April. The UV rays we need are not strong enough so here are some of my recommendations. Get tested so you have a base line to go from and then supplement with the following. With low levels take 4000IUs of Liquid Vitamin D3 (I believe liquid is more absorbable) or a great source of Cod liver oil. My recommendation for D3 is Carlson Labs liquid D3 drops 2000IUs. Also if you struggle with Seasonal Affect Disorder also known as the winter blues I recommend getting in the tanning bed for 5-30 minutes two times a week. Be sure to check the facilitiy that the beds emitt UVB rays and follow their tanning guidelines.
My findings
In my practice several of my fibromyalgia clients had been prescribed Vitamin D by their primary MDs. The clients saw improvements in their energy levels and pain after just a month of supplementing.
The other thing I find so interesting is that there are no Multiple Sclerosis cases near the equator and I bet a lot less cases of Rhematoid, Lupus, Fibromyalgia etc…. in my Central NY town half of the over 60 year olds go to Florida for the winter. Most of them say they feel so much better with less pain and more energy. Could there be a link between Vitamin D and sunlight?
The Total Wellness doctor thinks so!
Conclusion
Research shows vitamin D gives you a much a better chance of preventing illnesses such as: Heart Disease, Hypertension, Arthritis, Chronic Pain, Depression, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity, Premenstrual Syndrome, Muscular Weakness, Fibromyalgia, Crohns Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Illness, and Cancer. so,…..
Get your baseline Vitamin D tested start supplementing your diet or get some artificial sun or real sun depending where you live and what time of the year.
For more information order the book
The Vitamin D cure by James e Dowd gives a simple 5 step plan to using Vitamin D, some simple exercise and diet changes to increase your energy, improve your mood, decrease pain and even lose weight.
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great article, thanks for sahring!!
Excellent information and I realize the importance of Vitamin D and the role it will play in healing so many of my problems. I used to love the sun (too much) but I have noticed since I gave it up, more problems arise, not to mention the energy I used to have when I was out in it. Thanks Dr. Mary Starr.
Thanks for sharing! This is good to know I will try this and let you know how I feel in one month.
I was told years ago about the importance of Vitamin D by my OBGYN and have been on a separate Vit. D supplement other than my Multi, Omega 3, CoQ10, calcium and B12 for probably the last 10 years. Thank you for all the above information Dr. Mary:)
It’s a good idea for all of us to be tested for Vitamin D at least annually.