Vitamin D has recently, over the last couple of years, been the subject of intense research and study.
Vitamin D and one of its metabolites D3, has always been known to help with the prevention of bone thinning, known as osteoporosis.
Our bodies do not produce Vitamin D in any form; it has to be obtained from outside sources such as foods and primarily the sun.
The main areas of study recently is the finding that most Americans are Vitamin D deficient, regardless of how much sun they are exposed to, or how much is taken in as additives to milk and other food sources.
The reason is our constant enemy: the pollution of our environment. All the thousands of pollutants our bodies absorb have disrupted our ability to get Vitamin D and more specifically, break it down to the needed form of Vitamin D, that is primarily D3. Research has shown that upwards to 80% of the population are deficient in Vitamin D. Therefore a good vitamin supplementation plan would include a sufficient amount of Vitamin D.
The old recommendation was 400 International Units (I.U.) per day. Now, many studies are saying that upwards to 5,000 IU’s per day is best. The reason for the drastic increase? In all the current research, the once nearly forgotten Vitamin D is being connected to prevention of various acquired disease states. Adequate Vitamin D is being shown to help prevent cancers, cardiovascular problems, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Fibromyalgia; a continual growing list.
By all means supplement with D. I encourage anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 IU’s per day.
One other interesting fact: Vitamin D is not really a vitamin, it is a hormone!
It is what is classed as a “prohormone” or “prehormone”! Back to the importance of hormones!
Terry R. Leder B.A.
Clinical Manager & Research
Pointe Medical Services/Live Well MD