Your daily dose of vitamin D

Vitamin D has been received much attention in recent months. While natural health practitioners have long integrated vitamin D in the treatment of certain health issues, the Canadian Cancer Society now recommends all Canadians to supplement with vitamin D during winter months.

Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body. People get most of their vitamin D from sunlight. After being exposed to adequate amounts of sunlight, the skin produces vitamin D, which is then converted to its active form by the kidneys. Studies suggest that as we age, we tend to produce less vitamin D.

You can also find good amounts of vitamin D in certain kinds of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cod liver oil.

Some supplements use synthetic vitamin D2. A much better form is the natural and bioavailable vitamin D3 which is more effective and stays longer in the system.

Medical research shows that cells need vitamin D to function properly. Vitamin D may even prevent certain cancer. For over 60 years researchers have observed that greater sun exposure reduces cancer deaths. Researchers have found that people who consume higher levels of calcium and take vitamin D supplements seem to be better protected for the risks of colorectal cancer. Some data indicates that vitamin D lowers the risk in men but not in women.

Vitamin D3 plays an important role in breast cancer prevention and recurrence. New Canadian research confirms that women who are vitamin D deficient when they are diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to have the cancer spread. They are also more likely to die than women who have adequate vitamin D levels.

There is plenty of scientific evidence that vitamin D has several different effects on immune system function that may enhance your immunity and inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamin D contributes to joint and bone health by assisting the body to absorb calcium. It has been shown that people who take enough vitamin D are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis and joint pains. This vitamin can also slow the affects of arthritis.

Vitamin D works closely with calcium and magnesium, but most supplements don’t have enough vitamin D to be effective.

Appropriate levels of vitamin D help keep bones strong and may prevent osteoporosis in older adults. In a review of women with osteoporosis hospitalized for hip fractures, 50 percent were found to have signs of vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D reduced the risk of diabetes-1. Studies find that supplementing the diet of young children with vitamin D may reduce their risk of developing type-1 diabetes by 30 %. Studies also showed that type-1 diabetes is more common in northern countries with less exposure to sunlight. A child in Finland is 400 times more likely to develop Type-1 diabetes than a child in Venezuela.

Daily recommendations for vitamin D intake vary, but the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine established a very conservative UL of 2,000 IU/day for children and adults. While it is important to have enough vitamin D in your diet, there is the very rare possibility of too much vitamin D. Research suggests that vitamin D toxicity is very unlikely in healthy people at intake levels lower than 10,000 IU/day.

Some pharmaceutical drugs may interact with vitamin D. Discuss with your doctor or natural health practitioner what form and dosage of vitamin D should be part of your diet.