|
Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Many Diseases
When we began assessing levels of Vitamin D in our patients at Nutritional Direction more than four years ago, I was not fully aware of the impact that a low Vitamin D level has on health. As you can see below, a multitude of studies confirms the importance of sufficient levels of Vitamin D to prevent disease and premature death. More than 95% of our patients (including myself) tested levels far below the recommended 50 ng/ml now being recommended by the Vitamin D Council.
- Low Vitamin D levels have been implicated in many different kinds of cancer ranging from colon, breast, prostate, and colorectal, to lung, ovarian, esophageal, kidney and bladder cancer.
- Vitmain D plays a role in moderating or preventing autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Other areas where adequate levels of Vitamin D are crucial: preventing gingivitis bone health, musculoskeletal pain, cardiovascular risks, skin disorders. metabolic syndrome, preventing tooth loss.
- October 2008 journal Diabetes -lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with an increase in the risk of developing insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar over a ten year follow up period.
- Framingham Heart Study - people with Vitamin D levels below 15 ng/ml were twice as likely to experience a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event.
- The Archives of Neurology (October 2008) - Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta reported that men and women with Parksinson's disease have a greater incidence of vitamin D insufficiency.
- American Heart Association's conference in Atlanta in April 2008 - leg artery blockages (peripheral arterial disease - PAD) as a result of low Vitamin D levels.
- Researchers at the Medical University of Graz, Austria - chances of dying from heart disease and other causes rises with decreasing levels of Vitamin D.
- July 2008 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle report a high incidence of Vitamin D deficiency among female breast cancer survivors.
- Vitamin D regulates cell growth, and enhances immune response throughout the body.
Recommended dosages of Vitamin D for repletion might begin at 2,000 IU, but might be as high as 15,000 IU daily.
Read below to find out how to check your level of Vitamin D.
|
