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OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH D is for Strong Bones and So Much More! Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational purposes only. Supplements (herbal and vitamins) should be complementary to a healthy lifestyle as well as appropriate medical evaluation and treatment. Those who are interested in beginning a nutritional supplement should first consult their personal physician. Vitamin D has been recently recognized as a “wonder vitamin”. Vitamin D is not only critical in bone and muscle health, but is also important in reducing the risk of insulin resistance / diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. In fact, a researcher went as far as saying “vitamin D inadequacy might be contributing to what we are currently accepting as age–related morbidity.” Did you know that Vitamin D is an ultimate multi-tasker in the human body? Aside from playing a critical role in calcium absorption and bone strength, Vitamin D has a number of other amazing effects that have been newly uncovered by research. Vitamin D deficiency can cause diffuse muscle aching which can sometimes be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia. A low vitamin D level can also increase insulin resistance as well as risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Increasing vitamin D levels can reduce the risk of cancer of the breast, colon and prostate. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteoarthritis and even an increased risk of dementia! Having a higher blood level of vitamin D may protect against macular degeneration, overactive bladder and poor pulmonary function. I am sure I have given you more than enough reasons to want to make sure you have adequate Vitamin D levels! I highly encourage obtaining a 25(OH)Vitamin D level which is the best indicator of nutritional vitamin D levels in the body. The laboratory reference ranges are in general set too low. In 2005, a consensus panel of vitamin D researchers agreed that optimal levels of 25(OH)Vitamin D should be above 32ng/mL (I recommend a target of 40-80ng/mL). Unfortunately, vitamin D insufficiency is very common in the US. A recent study showed that in a random sample of over 300 individuals, about 75% had insufficient 25(OH)Vitamin D levels! Possible contributors to low Vitamin D status in US include reduced sun exposure and increased use of sunscreens (any sunscreen with SPF greater than 8 completely abolishes the skin’s ability to synthesize Vitamin D). Furthermore, the RDA of 400 IU of Vitamin D is NOT adequate! Most healthy people should have about 1000 IU of Vitamin D intake per day. But before rushing out to purchase Vitamin D supplements, I would recommend a blood level of 25(OH)Vitamin D be obtained so that the right dosage can be determined and the 25(OH)Vitamin D blood level should be monitored to ensure it is maintained in the optimal rangeFinancial disclosure: The Center for Optimal Health, Inc is an independent distributor of GNLD products. —May 2007
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