Vitamin D

Is Vitamin D all that it is hyped up to be? YES!!!

How do we get Vitamin D? The best source of vitamin D is through UV rays from the sun. Vitamin D is made in the skin upon exposure to UVB rays from sunlight and then metabolized into its active form via the liver and kidney. There is some vitamin D in fish, but getting adequate sunlight will provide you with all of the vitamin D that you need. Children and young adults need just a short time outside two to three times per week to synthesize the Vitamin D that they need.

With the increasing amount of time we spend indoors and the sunscreen we lather on when we do get outside, most people are not getting the amount of vitamin D that they need. Applying sunscreen, with an SPF of as low as 10, reduces UVB radiation by 90%. That’s a lot of vitamin D to be missing out on.

Remember, the farther away you are from the equator, the less UV rays you get from the sun, especially in winter months. If you are unable to get adequate sunlight, supplementation of D3 (the active form of Vitamin D) may be necessary.

Why do I need vitamin D? Vitamin D is essential for:

-          Bone health

-          Immune function

-          Insulin secretion

-          Blood pressure regulation

-          Mood

-          Mineral (calcium and phosphorus) balance

What happens if I don’t get enough Vitamin D?               

-          Muscle weakness and pain

-          Autoimmune disease, including type I diabetes, MS (multiple sclerosis), RA (rheumatoid arthritis), SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)

-          High blood pressure

-          Increased acute respiratory infections, including the common cold

-          Type II diabetes

-          Depressed mood/Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

-          Anxiety

-          Inflammation

-          Cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease

-          Increased rates of osteoporosis and bone fractures

-          Increased rates of cancer including colon and breast cancers

-          Hair loss

Vitamin D has also been found to be helpful in treating:

-          Atopic dermatitis/eczema

-          IBD – including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

-          Cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and congestive heart failure

-          Mood disorders including anxiety

Get outside and take advantage of these summer months!

Getting your vitamin D levels checked may be advised to determine how much vitamin D you need. Contact Dr. Sahni today to schedule an appointment to get a personalized health plan specific to your individual needs.

Dr. Christina Sahni is a licensed naturopathic physician in Portland, OR. She provides healthcare for the whole family, treating a broad spectrum of health conditions, including IBS, allergies, diabetes, adrenal fatigue, and many more. A more complete list of what Dr. Sahni treats can be found here.

Sources:

Linus Pauling Institute < https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-D>

Siavash Fazelian, Reza Amani,1 Zamzam Paknahad, Soleiman Kheiri,2 and Leila Khajehali3. Effect of Vitamin D Supplement on Mood Status and Inflammation in Vitamin D Deficient Type 2 Diabetic Women with Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2019; 10: 17. Published online 2019 Feb 12.