Vitamin D-Deficiency Crisis Looms, Researcher Warns
March 3rd, 2009See: The Miracle of Vitamin D.
Via: Deseret News:
While the nation is in the midst of a financial crisis, another crisis is looming large — a health crisis caused by vitamin D deficiency.
That message was delivered to about 55 medical researchers, nutritionists and public health officials who gathered at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Friday to hear from Dr. Carol Wagner, a medical researcher from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Wagner presented the preliminary findings from her current study which focuses on the role of vitamin D during pregnancy and early infant development. Even in the preliminary stages, the results of Wagner’s study show profound, far-reaching implications for pregnant women, infants and the entire population as a whole.
“It’s quite likely that chronic nutritional vitamin D deficiency puts all of us at risk for developing debilitating, long-latency, chronic diseases,” Wagner said. “Diseases such as insulin-resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases.”
Ha. If you look at many multivitamins, Vitamin D is conspicuously missing. Many stores don’t carry it. Even at places like Whole Foods, Vitamin D is often squirreled away somewhere.
Having learned that I had a vitamin D3 deficiency almost two years ago now has given me great respect for Vitamin D3.
Even you even think there’s a possibility you have a deficiency, please do have yourself tested, because there is a high probability that you would be deficient.
The article link below tells what test to ask for.
My level on my first D3 Hydroxy test was 13 when the optimal level is somewhere between 30 and 50.
It took me almost a whole year to raise my level to 42 taking 4000 per day, even with summer sunshine (we get little winter sun in the north US and we bought a D light).
I have also other problems who’ve I’ve been told be 3 very good doctors (non-pharma types) that come from stress, but without D3 my experience is that adrenal glands don’t work, hormones aren’t normal, blood glucose is very high, and weird ghost pains ocurred in joints without any obvious or previous injury. Just IMAGINE ALL THE BIG PHARMA DRUGS I’D BE TAKING NOW TO TREAT ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS from a “simple” lack of D3.
HmPF!
I for one would not be shocked if information about D3 has been suppressed for the simple reason that there would be EVEN LESS OF A NEED FOR BIG PHARMA. But that’s just me (grin!)
There is an excellent information article (circa 2000 (!) on Weston Price – (they are always ahead of the 8 ball) that serves as a good primer on understanding D3.
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitamindmiracle.html
From the article, look at the diseases/conditions low vitamin D3 brings, and LET THE SUNSHINE, LET THE SUNSHINE, LET THE SUNSHINE IN:
Vitamin D Miracles
Sunlight and vitamin D are critical to all life forms. Standard textbooks state that the principal function of vitamin D is to promote calcium absorption in the gut and calcium transfer across cell membranes, thus contributing to strong bones and a calm, contented nervous system. It is also well recognized that vitamin D aids in the absorption of magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as calcium.
Actually, vitamin D does not in itself promote healthy bone. Vitamin D controls the levels of calcium in the blood. If there is not enough calcium in the diet, then it will be drawn from the bone. High levels of vitamin D (from the diet or from sunlight) will actually demineralize bone if sufficient calcium is not present.
Vitamin D will also enhance the uptake of toxic metals like lead, cadmium, aluminum and strontium if calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are not present in adequate amounts.18 Vitamin D supplementation should never be suggested unless calcium intake is sufficient or supplemented at the same time.
Receptors for vitamin D are found in most of the cells in the body and research during the 1980s suggested that vitamin D contributed to a healthy immune system, promoted muscle strength, regulated the maturation process and contributed to hormone production.
During the last ten years, researchers have made a number of exciting discoveries about vitamin D. They have ascertained, for example, that vitamin D is an antioxidant that is a more effective antioxidant than vitamin E in reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing enzymes that protect against oxidation.19;20
Vitamin D deficiency decreases biosynthesis and release of insulin.21 Glucose intolerance has been inversely associated with the concentration of vitamin D in the blood. Thus, vitamin D may protect against both Type I and Type II diabetes.22
The risk of senile cataract is reduced in persons with optimal levels of D and carotenoids.23
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has been corrected by supplementation of D and calcium.24
Vitamin D plays a role in regulation of both the “infectious” immune system and the “inflammatory” immune system.25
Low vitamin D is associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn’s disease.26;27
Osteoporosis is strongly associated with low vitamin D. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis respond favorably (and rapidly) to higher levels of D plus calcium and magnesium.28
D deficiency has been mistaken for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or peripheral neuropathy.1;28-30
Infertility is associated with low vitamin D.31 Vitamin D supports production of estrogen in men and women.32 PMS has been completely reversed by addition of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.33 Menstrual migraine is associated with low levels of vitamin D and calcium.81
Breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer have a strong association with low levels of D and lack of sunlight.34-38
Activated vitamin D in the adrenal gland regulates tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme necessary for the production of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Low D may contribute to chronic fatigue and depression.39
Seasonal Affective Disorder has been treated successfully with vitamin D. In a recent study covering 30 days of treatment comparing vitamin D supplementation with two-hour daily use of light boxes, depression completely resolved in the D group but not in the light box group.40
High stress may increase the need for vitamin D or UV-B sunlight and calcium.41
People with Parkinsons and Alzheimers have been found to have lower levels of vitamin D.42;43
Low levels of D, and perhaps calcium, in a pregnant mother and later in the child may be the contributing cause of “crooked teeth” and myopia. When these conditions are found in succeeding generations it means the genetics require higher levels of one or both nutrients to optimize health.44-47
Behavior and learning disorders respond well to D and/or calcium combined with an adequate diet and trace minerals.48;49
This is what happens when an entire country considers its greatest goal to be a life spent entirely indoors under air conditioning and fluorescent lights.