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Greetings!
ARE YOU BAFFLED BY THE RECENT CHANGE IN VITAMIN D RECOMMENDATIONS?
Dr. Plotkin has answers to the questions you should be asking!
On November 30th, the quasi governmental agency, FNB (Food and Nutrition Board), issued a recommendation that a three-pound premature infant take virtually the same amount of vitamin D supplementation as a 300 pound pregnant woman. The recommendation included 10 micrograms per day (400 IU) for infants, and 15 mcg per day (600 IU) for pregnant woman (an essentially non-functional dose). Considering a single, 30 minute dose of summer sunshine gives adults more than 250 mcg of vitamin D, the FNB's suggestion is more than questionable. And when one considers the numerous reputable studies suggesting vitamin D's importance in not just bone health (as this recommendation focused on), but also heart, brain, breast, prostate, pancreatic, muscle, nerve, eye, immune, colon, liver, skin, mood and fetal health (at required doses of much more than 600 IU), the report becomes almost ludicrous. If left uninformed, the general public will know no better than to follow these recommendations, at potential great detriment to their health.
So what IS the right recommendation? What does vitamin D really do? Read on to find answers to these questions, and why research suggests vitamin D should always be accompanied by vitamin K - something most doctors never even mention!
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid compound that the body needs to remain healthy. In some ways, vitamin D is not a true vitamin because the skin can make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. However, if the body does not make enough vitamin D, additional amounts must be acquired through diet and/or supplementation.
What does it do?
The main role of vitamin D is to regulate the amounts of calcium and phosphorus circulating in the blood. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, which helps to form and maintain strong bones. Research also suggests that vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, and several types of cancers and autoimmune diseases.
A MAJOR Missing Link...
The number one cited purpose of vitamin D supplementation is forming and maintaining strong bones - and rightfully so. Except that just because vitamin D is helping with calcium absorption, we shouldn't automatically assume that calcium is being deposited in the places we want it to go (namely, the bones). Most of the calcium you ingest each day never gets anywhere near your bones. Instead, it is excreted, or deposited in soft tissue. In order for calcium to be deposited into bones, there are a number of other nutrients that must get involved. This is where vitamin K2 comes into play. K's job is to put calcium in the right places and keep it from being deposited in the wrong ones. Vitamin K plays a critical role in preventing arterial calcification, which is a risk factor in coronary artery disease, as well as other calcification conditions.
It is firmly and scientifically established that vitamin K has a number of benefits on its own as well - including anti-inflammatory, insulin/blood sugar regulation, antioxidant function, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Click on the following link for an excellent and enlightening article on vitamin K, and our country's misguided views on biphosphonates: http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/view/vitamin-K2-is-more-important-in-the-fight-against-osteoporosis-than-ca/P1/ .
What's Dr. Plotkin's Recommendation?
Dr. Plotkin firmly believes in the importance of vitamin D for a number of health benefits, but he also never prescribes vitamin D without vitamin K. All of our patients first have lab work done to determine their actual vitamin D levels. Then, if needed, a daily dosage of 5,000 IU is recommended (the same as the Vitamin D Council's recommendation), accompanied by K2MK7 in the amount of 45-90 mcg. |
