The importance of Optimal Vitamin D Levels

There has been a great deal of research on Vitamin D levels and their impact on health; optimal levels have been correlated with a reduced risk of developing numerous conditions. For example, Vitamin D increases the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, women with higher vitamin D levels have a lower risk of developing cancer, it aids with depression, and low vitamin D levels increase the risk for pre-eclampsia and C-section.Low vitamin D levels are associated with symptoms of muscle weakness, unexplained/ unresolved musculoskeletal pain, skin conditions and/or gum/tooth disease. Risk for Vitamin D deficiency increases with smokers and elderly or housebound individuals. Vitamin D levels influence cardiovascular function, the immune system, brain development, and muscular function.Vitamin D levels can be measured with a simple, inexpensive blood test that can either be performed by the doctor in-office or ordered from a local laboratory. Sources such as the FDA boast that fortified or enriched cereals, dairy, and grains are high in vitamin D levels. Not only are these items inflammatory, processed, chemical filled and destructive to the body, but they actually contain very little vitamin D. One of the best natural sources of vitamin D is cod liver oil or a high quality vitamin D3 supplement to help boost vitamin D levels. Studies are moving towards dosage levels of 4000-5000IU per day for adults and 500-1000IU daily for infants and children, to receive a therapeutic amount.Vitamin D absorbed into the skin by sunlight will last 2-3 times longer in the body. Sunlight exposure does have risks, so it is recommended 5-15 minutes of direct sunlight, three times per week (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), with 25 percent of unprotected skin showing, for white adults during spring/summer/fall seasons. Using a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher will absorb approximately 95 percent of UVB radiation, thus reducing the production of Vitamin D via the skin by about 95 percent.Recently we came across a new cold/flu infection that could not be treated without increasing one’s intake of vitamin D to twice the normal daily amounts. Once this was done, we supported the immune system with certain homeopathic remedies.