Vitamin D

Last week I shared the importance of Vitamin D in preventing osteoporosis and Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.  If you recall, the best source of this nutrient is the natural kind that causes our own vitamin D to be released from the skin with moderate exposure to direct sunlight.  In addition to influencing the regulation of our hormones, Vitamin D has also been found to influence the regulation of over 2000 of our genes making it crucial for preventing a variety of diseases.

For instance, Vitamin D has been found important in reducing weight and high blood pressure and preventing Autism and autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, M.S. and Chron’s. In addition, the vitamin has been found helpful in preventing infertility, asthma, and Alzheimer’s.  According to Dr. William Grant Ph.D., it may be the most important chemotherapy ingredient ever discovered and may be critical in preventing up to at least 30 % of cancer deaths.  Unfortunately, it is estimated that in the winter months, approximately 85% of Americans are deficient in this vital nutrient especially in this part of the country.  Ideally, we should be getting about 15-30 minutes of sun exposure per day.  When this is not happening, an oral dose of about 4000 units per day can be used for the average sized adult.  If taking this dose, you want to make sure the vitamin you are taking is Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and not the synthetic Vitamin D2 more commonly used.  For complete information on this subject, I recommend looking up information by Dr. Joseph Mercola on his website mercola.com.

Are You at Risk of Getting S.A.D

If you’ve been a reader in the past you may recognize that this is a repeat article on seasonal affective disorder or S.A.D.  This condition is more commonly referred to as the “winter blues” and it is characterized by a sense of depression that starts in the fall and ends in the spring.  It is accompanied by decreased energy and initiative.  While this condition is commonly treated with prescription drugs and antidepressants, often its ‘cure’ is intimately related to its cause.

The reason many people get S.A.D. in this part of the country at this time of the year is because the weather forces us into hibernation with a deficit of sunlight exposure.  Regular exposure to sunlight stimulates our skin to release vitamin D.  In truth, vitamin D is less of a vitamin than it is a hormone precursor.  Optimal levels of vitamin D simulate and balance our hormones to help regulate our normal physiology.  When we are lacking adequate sun exposure causing a deficiency of vitamin D, our hormones become imbalanced resulting in depression, fatigue and numerous other problems.  If you worry that you suffer from these winter blues and weekend trips to the Bahamas are not an option you can try a couple options.  First, you can supplement with vitamin D.  While this often works, you need to take much more vitamin D than is in your multivitamin as it does not get into the system easily.  When supplementing, you do need to practice caution because it is possible to get too much vitamin D and the only way to truly know your level is a blood test.  The second option is the use of light therapy using a light box that runs about $60 and is intended to provide synthetic sunlight.