By KARYN DORNEMANN, DC
02/03/2009
Posted Tuesday, February 3 at 11:15 a.m.
I CONSIDER MYSELF to be a relatively healthy person when compared to most. I eat very well, exercise a reasonable amount, get regular chiropractic adjustments, take my vitamins (most days), stand up straight–you get the idea. So imagine my amazement when I recently had my serum vitamin D levels checked by my doctor (at the insistence of one of my own patients who had recently been to a seminar on vitamin D and told me to get mine checked immediately!) and found that I was–gasp–deficient in vitamin D. Me! My level of serum vitamin D was "generally considered inadequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals." As my 16-year-old daughter would text to me: "OMG!"
I was speechless.
Then I started doing some research.
And I started taking vitamin D religiously with a product from the professional line of supplements I sell in my office. I had my 16-year-old daughter’s blood levels checked. This is one of the healthiest kids I’ve ever seen, and she was deficient in vitamin D! My significant other is having his blood levels checked this week, and so is my 14-year-old daughter. I expect they will be deficient, too.
Why all the hullabaloo over a vitamin D deficiency? What’s the big deal?
Here’s a concise rundown on why this vitamin is so important for everyone, from infants to the elderly, male or female.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is not found in many foods and is difficult to obtain from your diet unless you eat a lot of cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. Humans make our own vitamin D primarily through exposure to the sun. People who live in northern latitudes (that means you and me, folks!) and people with occupations that prevent sun exposure (you and me again) are unlikely to obtain adequate vitamin D levels from sunlight. Breastfed infants, older adults, obese individuals and dark-skinned individuals are also at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D acts like a hormone in the human body. It is essential for promoting calcium absorption in the gut and maintaining adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphate levels to allow muscles to work properly. It’s needed for bone growth in infants and children (prevention of rickets) and protects older adults from osteoporosis (which leads to greater risk of bone fracture).
Vitamin D also has other functions, primarily in promoting healthy immune system function and reducing inflammation. There is evidence that vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of colon, prostate and breast cancer. Research also suggests that vitamin D is a factor in prevention and treatment of type I and type II diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. One study showed that the use of vitamin D supplements in healthy, middle aged and elderly patients who were at risk for fractures (of hip or spine, for example) was associated with a reduction in overall mortality from any cause by 7%. That is a significant finding.
So, what should you do after reading this information? Go get your vitamin D level checked!
The best blood test to measure your vitamin D level with is the serum concentration of 25 (OH) D. It reflects the amount of vitamin D that is circulating in the bloodstream, not the amount that is stored in other tissues. Blood serum concentrations of less than 25 nanograms/millileter (ng/mL) are generally considered inadequate. Optimal levels are between 33-55 ng/mL and are best achieved with dietary changes, supplementation and proper exposure to sunlight.
But how do you know what you need in terms of supplementation to get to the proper blood levels?
Recent medical research indicates human daily requirements for vitamin D may be up to 10 times more than the 400 IU daily, which is what is currently recommended. Without an initial blood test, it is impossible for you to know how much vitamin D you need as a supplement. Proceeding with the advice of a health care professional who has a strong background in nutrition and supplementation and who will communicate with your primary care provider for blood tests is highly recommended.
If you are found to be deficient in vitamin D, make sure to get the best professional advice regarding your individual situation. Diet, lifestyle, medications and health status play a large part in determining your own course of treatment. Everyone is different and has unique needs. Start by having your chiropractor or primary care provider order the 25 (OH) D blood test for vitamin D, and see what your vitamin D level is before you make changes. Do it today!
Dr. Karyn Dornemann, DC is a chiropractor whose practice includes counseling regarding supplements and lifestyle modifications. To contact Dr. Dornemann, email hudsonchiro@yahoo.com or go to the website www.hudsonchiropractic.com. Her office is at 64 Green St., Hudson, NY 12534.
©The Independent 2009
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