To take Vitamin D successfully your body uses cholestrol so those on the Drug to lower cholestrol need to see your doctor
Taking vitamin D efficiently you need magnesium in your body ot take a supplement
CHECK OUT LIGHT THERAPY PAGE FOR VITAMIN DEFICENCYRoles of vitamin D in the body
Vitamin D plays a critical role in many bodily functions.Healthy bones. Vitamin D promotes intestinal calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, necessary for healthy bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets, leading to bowlegged appearance due to the softening of the bones. Similarly, in adults, vitamin D deficiency manifests as osteomalacia. Source or a softening of the bones. Osteomalacia results in poor bone density and muscular weakness. Long-term vitamin D deficiency can also present as osteoporosis. Immune function becomes inadequate, intake of vitamin D may support good immune function and reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D plays an important role in immune function. There may be a link between long-term vitamin D deficiency and the development of autoimmune conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis, but more research is necessary to confirm the link. While test-tube studies have shown vitamin D to have a positive effect on the immune response of human cells, researchers are yet to replicate these findings in controlled human trials. Skin color: Pigmentation in the skin reduces the body’s ability to absorb ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun. Absorbing sunlight is essential for the skin to produce vitamin D. Lack of sun exposure: People who live in northern latitudes or areas of high pollution, work night shifts, or are homebound should aim to consume vitamin D from food sources whenever possible. Breastfeeding: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all breastfed infants receive 400 international units (IU) per day of oral vitamin D. Older adults: The skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases with age. Older adults may also spend more time indoors. |
CHECK OUT LIGHT THERAPY PAGE FOR VITAMIN DEFICENCY |
Those with conditions that limit fat absorption: Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning intake is dependent on the gut absorbing dietary fats. Conditions that limit fat absorption can decrease vitamin D intake from the diet.
People with obesity: High levels of body fat can limit the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D from the skin. People following a gastric bypass: This surgery bypasses a part of the upper intestine that absorbs large amounts of vitamin D. This bypass can cause a deficiency. Read more on vitamin D deficiency. The majority of people with a vitamin D deficiency do not present with symptoms. However, a chronic deficiency may cause hypocalcemia, a calcium deficiency disease, and hyperparathyroidism, where the parathyroid glands create a hormone imbalance that raises the blood calcium levels. These conditions can lead to secondary symptoms including: bone fragility, especially in older adults osteoporosis bone pain fatigue muscle twitching muscle weakness myalgias, or muscle pain arthralgias, or joint stiffness If Vitamin D deficiency continues for long periods, it may result in complications, such as: cardiovascular conditions autoimmune problems neurological diseases infections pregnancy complications certain cancers, including breast, prostate, and colon. Infancy and childhood is a period of rapid growth bone growth. Due to this, it is essential for infants to get adequate amounts of vitamin D. Chronic vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, which is a softening of bone tissues that can lead to the malformation of bones and joints. Vitamin D deficiency also has links to high blood pressure and hypertension in children. A 2018 study found a possible connection between low vitamin D levels and arterial wall stiffness in children. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) suggests a connection between low vitamin D exposure and an increased risk of allergic sensitization. For example, children who live closer to the equator have lower rates of admission to the hospital for allergies and fewer prescriptions for epinephrine auto-injectors, or EpiPens. They are also less likely to have a peanut allergy. A 2019 review suggests that pregnant women may have a deficient in vitamin D may have a greater risk of developing preeclampsia and giving birth preterm. Researchers of a 2020 review study found that there may be an association between higher vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and a decreased risk of preeclampsia and premature birth. However, researchers need well-designed clinical trials with vitamin D supplementation in order to better define associations. Some research associates a poor vitamin D status with gestational diabetes. Treating vitamin D deficiency may also reduce the risk of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. However, conflicting research found no links between vitamin D supplementation and the prevention of bacterial vaginosis. There may be an association between adequate vitamin D intake during pregnancy and a reduced risk of asthma and food allergy development in the resulting newborns. However, the evidence is not definitive, and more studies are necessary. Was this helpful? Sources of vitamin D People can often get the majority of their vitamin D intake from sunlight exposure. However, people at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency, and many other people, cannot solely rely on sunlight exposure for vitamin D production. During the winter months, when the sun is not as strong, everyone can benefit from vitamin D supplements or food that contain Vitamin D. The following foods are a source of vitamin D: fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna egg yolks, cheese, beef liver, mushrooms, fortified milk, fortified cereals and juices. |
Vitamin D is a hormone although it was originally thought to be a vitamin and is naturally produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sufficient sunlight and is contained in oily natural fish and occurs in foods such as raw egg yolks and unpasteurized dairy.
Unfortunately in the UK there is little sun, particularly in winter and not enough vitamin D in our diets due to modern farming practices and our generally low consumption of fresh uncooked fruits and vegetables. <p >Studies show that the higher your Vitamin D level, the lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory infections and diseases, tuberculosis and diabetes. The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that increasing your levels of Vitamin D would cut premature death by 21%, and extend your healthy life span by more than two years. How to get more Vitamin D: * Move to somewhere sunny. Bathe in the sunshine safely without going red or burning. * Get a Vitamin D light and spend a few minutes a day relaxing. The Research: In 1998, Harvard researchers published a study of dairy product intake among 526 men diagnosed with prostate cancer and 536 similar men not diagnosed with the disease. That study found a 50% increase in prostate cancer risk and a near doubling of risk of metastatic prostate cancer among men consuming high amounts of dairy products, likely due, say the researchers, to the high total amount of calcium in such a diet. Bare in mind that they would have used the degraded form, pasteurized milk which will have lost most of it's vitamin d content through the heat process that is pasteurization<p >The most recent Harvard study on the topic, published in October 2001, looked at dairy product intake among 20,885 men and found men consuming the most dairy products had about 32% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than those consuming the least. The adverse effects of excessive calcium intake may include high blood calcium levels, kidney stone formation and kidney complications.Elevated calcium levels are also associated with arthritic/joint and vascular degeneration, calcification of soft tissue, hypertension and stroke, and increase in VLDL triglycerides, gastrointestinal disturbances, mood and depressive disorders, chronic fatigue, and general mineral imbalances including magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. High calcium levels interfere with Vitamin D and subsequently inhibit the vitamin’s cancer protective effect unless extra amounts of Vitamin D are supplemented. Dosage : Opinion is rapidly changing in the light of new understandings and opinions of experts varies. Dr Mercola recommends, at the time of writing, that optimal levels are 50 to 70nmo/l and that cancer requires 70 to 100nmo/l. He suggests that 10,000iu's might be an appropriate dose but insists that you ask your Dr for a blood test before beginning vitamin D supplementation, which is our recommendation too. Dr Gonzalez famous for his remarkable cure rates believes that cancer patients may need less than Dr Mercola recommends and his protocol is more like Dr Grant's opinion below. Dr William Grant who has extensively studied vitamin D estimates that for the average European, a blood level of vitamin D is around 54nmol/L. Upping levels to 100 to 125nmol/L reduces mortality in a whole range of conditions. According to Dr Grant "It is important for optimal health to keep vitamin D blood levels above 100 nmol/L.” That is difficult in the UK due to the high latitude and frequent cloud cover and modern lifestyle. It takes about 3,000 to 5,000iu's a day for most people to reach this level. We asked him what he takes: "I take 50,000iu of vitamin D3 every two weeks (that's about 3,500iu a day); my blood level is 168 nmol/L, and in the summer I am now shooting for 15-20 minutes of sunlight near solar noon with shirt off on clear days.” Important, Get your vitamin D levels checked by the doctor (FREE IN UK) before using a vitamin D supplement and retest after a few months. Everyone's need for Vitamin D is individual. We're all different in our ability to make Vitamin D so it's difficult to assess individual needs, given variations in sunlight exposure, skin colour, diet, lifestyle and complicating factors such as liver disease or how many Vitamin D receptors are actually expressing and active. |
People can measure vitamin D intake in micrograms (mcg) or international units (IU). One mcg of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU.
The recommended daily intakes of vitamin D are as follows:
Infants 0-12 months 400 IU (10 mcg)
Children 1-18 years 600 IU (15 mcg)
Adults up to 70 years 600 IU (15 mcg)
Adults over 70 years 800 IU (20 mcg)
Pregnant or lactating women 600 IU (15 mcg)
Learn how to get more vitamin D from the sun here.
The upper limit that healthcare professionals recommend for vitamin D is 4,000 IU per day for an adult. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that vitamin D toxicity is unlikely at intakes under 10,000 IU per day.
Vitamin D toxicity is typically the result of inappropriate supplement dosing and prescription errors.
Excessive vitamin D consumption can lead to hypercalcemia, or an excessively high blood calcium level. This can lead to calcification of bones and the hardening of blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, and heart tissues.
Hypercalcemia can be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
The most common symptoms of excessive vitamin D include headaches and nausea. However, too much vitamin D can also lead to the following:
loss of appetite, dry mouth, a metallic taste, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea.
Excessive vitamin D usually occurs from accidental overconsumption and prescription errors.
If someone is taking supplements, they should choose their brand carefully, monitor the safety or purity of supplements the same way it does pharmaceuticals.
A complete diet and regular eating pattern are most important in disease prevention and good health. It is better to eat a diet with various nutrients than to concentrate on only a few nutrients.
Summary
The body produces vitamin D due to sun exposure. Many foods and supplements also contain vitamin D. The vitamin plays an important role in maintaining bones, teeth, and optimal immune function.
A vitamin D deficiency can cause calcium deficiency disease, and hyperparathyroidism, a hormone imbalance that raises the blood calcium levels.
The recommended daily intakes of vitamin D are as follows:
Infants 0-12 months 400 IU (10 mcg)
Children 1-18 years 600 IU (15 mcg)
Adults up to 70 years 600 IU (15 mcg)
Adults over 70 years 800 IU (20 mcg)
Pregnant or lactating women 600 IU (15 mcg)
Learn how to get more vitamin D from the sun here.
The upper limit that healthcare professionals recommend for vitamin D is 4,000 IU per day for an adult. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that vitamin D toxicity is unlikely at intakes under 10,000 IU per day.
Vitamin D toxicity is typically the result of inappropriate supplement dosing and prescription errors.
Excessive vitamin D consumption can lead to hypercalcemia, or an excessively high blood calcium level. This can lead to calcification of bones and the hardening of blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, and heart tissues.
Hypercalcemia can be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
The most common symptoms of excessive vitamin D include headaches and nausea. However, too much vitamin D can also lead to the following:
loss of appetite, dry mouth, a metallic taste, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea.
Excessive vitamin D usually occurs from accidental overconsumption and prescription errors.
If someone is taking supplements, they should choose their brand carefully, monitor the safety or purity of supplements the same way it does pharmaceuticals.
A complete diet and regular eating pattern are most important in disease prevention and good health. It is better to eat a diet with various nutrients than to concentrate on only a few nutrients.
Summary
The body produces vitamin D due to sun exposure. Many foods and supplements also contain vitamin D. The vitamin plays an important role in maintaining bones, teeth, and optimal immune function.
A vitamin D deficiency can cause calcium deficiency disease, and hyperparathyroidism, a hormone imbalance that raises the blood calcium levels.