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TagsBY MARC D. SCHWARTZ, MD
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The current poster child of vitamin deficiencies is D. Unlike what you may have read about other deficiencies, this one is not uncommon and has actual scientific evidence to support its unhealthy reputation. Previous studies have shown that Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with elevated risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infections. Now a study of 6,000 men over 65 years of age has found that low Vitamin D blood levels are associated with low bone density, which predisposes to hip fractures, which predispose to nothing good, I assure you.
The normal level of Vitamin D in the blood is 80 nanamoles per liter. The Journal of Nutrition recently reported that a study of over 400 pregnant women found that vaginal infections were 26% more common in those with levels lower than 50 and 65% more common in those with levels lower than 20. Black women were more likely to have lower levels because darker skin interferes with synthesis of the vitamin.
A vitamin D blood test can be carried out by most clinical laboratories, though it is unlikely that medical insurance will cover it unless there is clinical evidence of a deficiency. If the test is done, and the level is low, it can be increased by taking inexpensive over the counter vitamin D3 supplements, which raise the level slowly over time, or by getting an injection of D. Engaging in outdoor activities also helps. Other things you do to increase your D levels are become thin, become Caucasian, live in the South, and become younger. Well, maybe you can do some of these things.
Dr. Schwartz is a board certified psychiatrist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of adults with ADD. Received B.A. with honors from Princeton University, graduated from the Yale School of Medicine and, after interning at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, received his psychiatric training at the Yale University Department of Psychiatry. He writes a monthly health blog, Medical-Intelligence
Searching for the above should bring you to a lecture by Robert Heaney as well known Vitamin D researcher. In this talk he explains more about what should be regarded as deficiency and makes a plea for the NATURAL primitive level that our DNA strives to attain and maintain when we regularly go naked in the midday sun.
Does vitamin d make the world go round?
In this paper Wagner and Hollis explain the importance or a NATURAL vitamin D status during pregnancy and lactation. The 55ng 137.5nmol/l that is associated with peak muscle performance, and lowest incidence of chronic diseases is also around the level at which human breast milk flows replete with D3.
We really must stop regarding NORMAL vitamin D status as healthy and remember we evolved living mainly outdoors more than likely naked under sunshine. Our DNA is geared to run one higher natural intakes of D3.
GRASSROOTSHEALTH.ORG D ACTION
are a charity promoting Vitamin D understanding and as part of a trial are offering 25(OH)D testing at cost price, You can sign up for one test or two tests each year for the next 5 yrs. You will then be aware of how much Vitamin D3 your body requires to stay around 55ng ~ 137.5nmol/l the level associated with least chronic disease incidence.