Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine supplement, is a nutrient that is important for good overall health and strong, healthy bones. It also plays an important role in making sure your muscles, lungs, heart, and brain work properly and helps with fighting infection. Vitamin D can come from sunlight, supplements, and a small amount from the foods you eat. Many people are deficient in Vitamin D, which could negatively affect their health. Why the deficiencies? Why should we supplement? What are the physiological effects if we don’t have a good level of Vitamin D?

Did you know that on a sunny day, if you are outside in shorts and a tee shirt for 30 minutes, you can get 50,000 units (1-25 OHD3) of the active form of Vitamin D? This is because the 7-dehydrocholesteral in your skin is exposed to UVB light from the sun. This converts to 25-OHD3 (25-hydroxy vitamin D) as an inactive form. Then the kidneys convert this to the active form 1, 25 dehydroxy vitamin D.

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) , 32% of children and adults are deficient in Vitamin D. National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey showed children 1-5 years old are 50% deficient and 6-11 years old are 70% deficient.
Life Extension Foundation conducted an analysis of 13,000 blood tests of Vitamin D supplement users in 2009 and found 85.7% had insufficient levels. These users were taking 600iu/day of vitamin D. Blood levels were below 50mg/ml, which is the minimum protective level. The threshold level should be 60-70 mg/ml.
 
Why do we have such low levels of Vitamin D?
Low stomach acid
Surgical removal of small intestine
Sunscreen use
Lack of absorption due to lack of enzyme expression
Simply not enough food or supplements with vitamin D
 
Physiological effects and why we need Vitamin D
Stimulate immune system response
Increase microbial activity to enhance immune response
Helps increase red blood cells
Increase insulin receptors and insulin secretion
Increase absorption of calcium and phosphates
Increase osteoblast production for bone formation
Decrease left ventricle hypertrophy in heart
Decrease inflammation
 
Vitamin D supplement should always be taken with Vitamin K2 to prevent hypercalcemia (increased calcium in blood). Vitamin K2 pulls calcium out of arteries, joints and kidneys and directs calcium into bone.

​Vitamin D levels should be tested once a year. If you don’t have the proper levels, find out why. 
Call Dr. Henderson’s office to have it checked. 615-371-1091 x13