The human race evolved, developed and emerged in sub-Saharan equatorial East Africa where, year round without seasons, we received the sunlight we needed everyday for our skin to manufacture all of the Vitamin D hormone we required from our skin's natural cholesterol. When we migrated away from the equator, natural selection quickly eliminated most of the melanin pigmentation from our skin in an attempt to compensate for the much weaker levels of UV radiation available for making Vitamin D. Not only are the levels of UVB radiation weaker where sun exposure is limited, but we also now spend more time indoors, avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen when we are in the sun and inadvertently starve our bodies of Vitamin D.

In a review article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., one of the nation's leading experts on vitamin D, concludes it to be one of the most commonly unrecognized medical conditions, a condition that leaves millions at risk of developing not only osteoporosis and fractures but also numerous serious and often fatal diseases, including several common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and heart disease.

What is vitamin D? Sunlight striking the skin converts a cousin of cholesterol into pre-vitamin D. As this circulates through the bloodstream, the liver turns it into biologically inactive 25-(OH) D (hydroxyvitamin D). This is what is measured to determine your vitamin D status. The kidneys then supply a small chemical tweak, creating the active vitamin D that can affect cells throughout the body.

How do you know if you are getting enough vitamin D in your diet? The amount of 25-(OH) D you have in circulation depends on how much sunshine you get, your skin pigmentation (darker skin reduces vitamin D production), your diet (salmon and other fatty fish are rich in vitamin D), and your age (the older you are, the less vitamin D your skin makes). The only way to be certain of vitamin D status is to measure the blood level of 25(OH)D, also known as calcidiol. You can ask your doctor to test your vitamin D status, you can also order a vitamin D test through www.lef.org or join www.grassrootshealth.org, a non-profit vitamin D organization. For your $40 membership fee you will receive information on vitamin D and a vitamin D blood spot test kit to be used at home.

Experts have defined three categories for vitamin D status: deficient, less than 20 ng/mL (nanograms of 25-hydroxyvitamin D per milliliter of blood); insufficient, from 20-30 ng/mL; and sufficient, above 30 ng/mL. A Scientists' Call to Action has been issued to alert the public to the importance to have vitamin D serum levels between 40 and 60 ng/mL to prevent the diseases mentioned above. Implementing this level is safe and inexpensive

Current vitamin D recommendations of 400 IU daily have become the target of a hotly contested debate that will be settled next year with a change in recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board. Several scientists have put together a call to action for universal oral intake of vitamin D3 of 2000 IU/day. A substantially higher level of support for research on the role of vitamin D for the prevention of cancer is urgently needed. However, delays in taking reasonable preventive action on cancer by ensuring nearly universal oral intake of vitamin D3 of 2000 IU/day is costing thousands of lives unnecessarily each year that are lost due to fractures, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases for which vitamin D deficiency plays a major role.

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is the naturally occurring form of vitamin D. It is the substance made in large quantities in your skin when sunlight strikes your bare skin.It can also be taken as a supplement. Cholecalciferol is vitamin D; all other compounds are either metabolic products or chemical modifications. The important thing to know: cholecalciferol is the vitamin D to take.

Resources:
Medical News Today
Vitamin D Health
Harvard Health Newsletter
GRC
Natural News
Vitamin D Pharmacology
Grass Roots Health

Would you like to learn about the 2 biggest causes of ill health and what 4 things need to be in balance to be healthy?

Would you like to learn more about nutritional cleansing and how it can support health and wellness?

If you answered yes, please join us for this event, and receive an awesome free health and wellness gift for coming to learn!

When: January 6th or Janaury 13th
Time: 10:00-11:30 am OR 7:00-7:30 pm
Where: Harvard, MA
RSVP: seating is limited, so to reserve a seat please e-mail simplebalance@charter.net. Please indicate the date and time you would like to come. Your seat will be confirmed by e-mail and the location of the event will be included with your confirmation

A sneak peak at the choices for your FREE Health and Wellness Gift:

• Gift 1: A free yoga class with Jen Sundeen
• GIft 2: A free 30 minute personal training session with Melinda Sowizral
• Gift 3: A free 20 minute energy balancing session with Wendy Saydah
• Gift 4: A free 1 hour stretching class with Sheila Peters
• Gift 5: A free 1 hour life coaching session with Debra Hickok

One out of every three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some time. Cancer affects three of every four families.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Each year, nearly 500,000 Americans die from cancer.

Childhood cancer is the #1 killer disease of our children, more than from asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and pediatric AIDS combined.

1 in 300 children will be diagnosed with cancer before age 20 - Each year 3,000 children die, and 35-40,000 are in treatment.

"Knockout" contains important information. When you look at the statistics of cancer, being educated about a variety of options in regards to this disease could make a difference in your life or the life of someone you love.

Below is the preface to this book so that you can get a snapshot of what this book is about:

Click here to read the preface

I am very excited about the upcoming 6 Week Group Program, "A Health and Wellness Plan for 2010".

I have collaborated with some health and wellness professionals to bring you an exciting 6 weeks of education, experiences and tools to learn how to make health and wellness a natural part of your life.

I will be sending out more information about this program in the coming week!