Antioxidants - Fighters against free radical damage
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Vitamin D - Sunshine Vitamin / Antioxidant against health problems - D Deficiency - The Silent Epidemic
Vitamin D Deficiency - "The Silent Epidemic"
The U.S. is facing a
vitamin D deficiency epidemic
Average winter's
end CALCIDIOL (main circulating form of
vitamin D) blood levels are a seriously low.
15-18
ng/mL, compared to the optimal 50-55ng/mL. D- deficiency
is considered a major contributor to the many health problems we are seeing today
(E.g. 60% of Type 2 diabetics are D- deficient
Diabetes Care March 2006; 29(3): 722-724 ).
Especially at risk are the elderly, dark skinned people, and those who stay indoors
(sometimes even in sunny climes), or who over-protect themselves from the sun with
sunscreen or clothing.
Vitamin D
deficiency is due to lack of sun exposure. A consequence of
living in sunless climes at higher latitudes, indoor lifestyles, fear of skin
cancer/wrinkles, and sunscreen use. The main reason for this shortfall, however,
is a lack of appreciation for the inherent health benefits provided by
sunlight's vitamin D production, in combination with the fear of getting skin
cancer or wrinkles, as evidenced by commonly found vitamin D deficiency even in
the world's sunniest areas; Marwaha et al,
2005; Sedrani SH, 1984
Also, even with sufficient sun-exposure, deficiency can result from disorders
which limit vitamin D absorption or conversion:
Factors
affecting D3 availability and Conversion in the Body
Today's low fat diets mean we no longer eat as
much
VITAMIN D - once
eaten in such as vitamin D- rich kippers, tripe,
chitterlings and lard.
Synthetic vitamin
D fortification of foods has resolved some of our
requirement. However, these synthesized versions are not as effective as
vitamin D intake from food
Signs of deficiency
Body unable to control calcium and phosphate levels. Low blood levels of vitamin D cause release
of calcium and phosphate from bones. Consequently, bones form, but without
becoming dense and hard (i.e. mineralized) leading to:
▲ Rickets in children.
Softening of the skull bones, bowing of the legs, spinal curvature, increased
joint size;
▲ Osteomalacia
in adults. Pain in the joints/hips, back, ribs; muscles in the upper arms
and thighs become weak; fatigue; waddling; bone fractures. Often seen in the elderly,
who generally receive little sunlight. (Malacia means "softening").
D
deficiency is extremely detrimental to health.
Realizing that receptors for
CALCITRIOL (the active form of vitamin D) exist in nearly all body tissues
helps us to understand the dire need for this crucial vitamin. For example, without
vitamin D , it is impossible to utilize minerals
like calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium.
A low blood level
vitamin D is found
in numerous conditions, where improving vitamin
D levels can help:
•Aging
•Diabetes 1 and 2
•Malabsorption
•Alcoholism
•Diarrhea
•Migraines
•Anxiety
•Eczema / Psoriasis
•Multiple sclerosis
•Arthritis
•Enzymatic diseases
•Muscle weakness/pain
•Asthma
•Fatigue
•Obesity
•Autism
•Fibromyalgia
•Obsessive Disorders
•Autoimmune diseases
•Graves' disease
•Osteomalacea
•Birth defects
•Hearing Loss
•Osteoporosis
•Bone diseases
•Heart disease
•Panic Attacks
•Bone pain
•Heart Disease
•Parkinson's
•Cancer (esp. colon, prostate, breast
•High blood pressure
•Periodontal Disease
•Cavities
•Hypertension
•PMS (Vitamin
D & Calcium )
•Celiac disease
•Impaired wound healing
•Pre-eclampsia
•Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
•Infertilty
•Psoriasis
•Chronic Pain
•Inflammatory bowel disease
•Rheumatoid arthritis
•Cold / Flu
•Insomnia
•Rickets
•Crohn's disease
•Intestinal Irritability
•Schizophrenia
•C-section risk
•Joint pain
•Seizures
•Cystic fibrosis
•Kidney /Liver Problems
•Septicemia
•Dementia
•Lupus
•Thyroid disorders
•Depression
•Macular degeneration
•Tuberculosis
To read more about how vitamin D has shown
to be an effective defense against various diseases, including 16 different types
of cancer (can prevent 30-50% of cancer deaths), and also a powerful
therapy to help reverse health problems, see:
Vitamin D - Against
Health Problems
References
Sedrani SH (1984) Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and normal serum
calcium concentration in Saudi Arabia:Riyad region. Ann Nutr Metab. 28:181-185;
