The Importance of Vitamin D
What if I told you that ALL of the conditions below have one thing in common?
- Chronic Pain (including Fibromyalgia)
- Muscle Weakness
- Susceptibility to the Flu and colds
- Psoriasis
- Constant Fatigue
- Depression
- Sweaty Head
- Constant Respiratory Problems
- Hypertension and/or Cardiovascular Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Constant Infections
- Dementia, Including Alzheimer’s Disease
- Prostate Cancer
- Erectile Disfunction (ED)
- Schizophrenia
- Rickets
- Crohn’s Disease
- Various Cancers, including pancreatic, lung, ovarian, breast, prostate, and skin cancers
Do you know what they have in common? In most cases, all of these conditions can be traced back to a Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D, often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” is actually a fat-soluble hormone that the body can synthesize naturally. There are several forms, including two that are important to humans: D2 and D3. It assists the body in the absorption of calcium, and strengthens the immune system against a wide variety of diseases.
With the ever-increasing move to industrialized, “indoor” work and play, few Americans get enough time in the sun for the body to convert sunshine through the skin into usable D; it is estimated that up to 70% of the population under 60 are already deficient, with the need for Vitamin D increasing as we age. Even more alarming is that for all the conditions listed above, studies have found a significant Vitamin D deficiency in the majority of patients.
The best time to correct a Vitamin D deficiency is today!
In order for your body to produce Vitamin D in sufficient quantities from sunlight alone you will need to expose your skin (hands and face) to a minimum of 10 minutes per day. Keep in mind that sunscreens block both the “good” and “bad” sunlight from penetrating your skin, so your 10 minutes in the sun needs to be free of sunscreen. Tanning beds do not produce the same effect and will not provide your body with the necessary components to create Vitamin D. For those hoping to get sufficient Vitamin D from the foods we eat, think again; most fortified food products use D2 which is not as well utilized by the body as D3.
The Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D3 supplements can be taken and many doctors are encouraging their patients to consider it a vital part of their nutritional regimen. There are no known negative side effects from taking up to 10,000 IUs daily of a high quality Vitamin D3 and many patients experience relief from common, even chronic, conditions within a few weeks of correcting their Vitamin D deficiency with supplementation. Dr. Harry Collins of Savannah Age Management Medicine regularly tests all of his patients for this vital hormone to make sure they are at optimal levels to prevent disease and increase overall vitality and health. Based on your current levels, Dr. Collins will personalize your treatment plan to meet your current needs then monitor you to make sure you stay at the levels promising the best long-term results. For a free consultation, please contact us today.
