For various reasons, most people are no longer able to produce the
necessary amount of this “vitamin.” These reasons include: living in a
geographical area in which there is often little sunlight available,
using SPF products to protect against the negative effects of too much
sunlight, the current state of production, shipping and storage of the
few fresh foods that would naturally provide Vitamin D3, certain medical
conditions that preclude the synthesis of the vitamin, among many other
factors. Although some foods are now being artificially enhanced with
Vitamin D, there are not enough of them to provide all we need.
A few years ago, Vitamin D was thought to do nothing more than allow
calcium to be absorbed for good bone health. New research suggests that
vitamin D may be one of the best vitamins of all for your body as
scientists have uncovered up to 2,000 different genes—roughly one-sixth
of the human genome—that are regulated by the nutrient. That means
almost everything in your body relies on it. The problem is that most
of us are not spending enough time in the sun for our bodies to produce
Vitamin D, nor do our foods any longer provide what we need.
Up to 77 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient1. Low Vitamin D
levels will result in your body working far below its potential.
What's most remarkable about vitamin D is the sheer number of health
issues it's been linked to. It affects cell death and proliferation,
insulin production, and even the immune system2, as well as depression,
heart disease, pregnancy problems, birth defects, skin and other
cancers, and multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus, is essential to a healthy
immune system, promotes cellular differentiation, is a potent
anti-inflammatory, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and helps lower
blood pressure, among many, many other things, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autoimmune disorders (such as: Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid
arthritis, Macular degeneration, Psoriasis, Celiac disease, Cystic
Fibrosis, Grave’s disease, etc.)
- Cancer (including Breast, Colorectal, Melanoma, Ovarian)
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis / Osteomalacia (weakening of the bones)
Parkinson’s disease
- Rickets
Experts are now urging the government to raise its recommended daily
amount of vitamin D for adults from 200 IU to at least 1,000 IU, often
up to 4000 IU daily3.
1 The Archives of Internal Medicine
2 Michael F Holick, PhD, MD, director of the vitamin D, skin and bone research laboratory at Boston University Medical Center
3 Harvard School of Public Health
