Coming This Summer: HERO IN 3D!

Posted by Customer Service on April 13, 2011.

Okay, actually the headline should read: 

Hero in D3.

Vitamin D3, that is.  Some people call it the sunshine vitamin.  I call it the hero vitamin.  Let me explain.

Spring is upon us and summer is just around the corner. Ahh summer. Warm nights, hot sunny days, bad movie sequels, dark glasses...and many people are putting away their vitamin d supplement, feeling safe in the knowledge that our bodies can produce vitamin D3 with exposure to sunshine.  That may be a mistake.  What many people don’t realize is that many things can interfere with our ability to produce vitamin d: age, ethnicity, where we live, how we live, sunscreens, disease. On top of this, the UVB rays that help us make vitamin D3 also destroy the D3 once it has been made.  In case you are wondering: yes, these are also the same ultraviolet rays that are linked to skin cancer.

Health agencies in many countries are increasing the recommended intake of vitamin d for all individuals.  This is because recent studies have shown links between low vitamin d levels and diseases including cancer (skin, colon and others), osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and depression.

Some Facts:

Worldwide, an estimated 1 billion people have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood, and deficiencies can be found in all ethnicities and age groups.  Vitamin D deficiency is increasing in the U.S and the prevalence is estimated to be 36%.  Northern U.S. and Canada may be higher. Those in the northern U.S., Canada, Europe and Northern Asia seem to experience higher rates of neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis. Indeed, in industrialized countries, doctors are even seeing the resurgence of rickets, the bone-weakening disease that had been largely eradicated through vitamin D fortification. The risk of vitamin D deficiency increases if you don't get outside for at least a 15-minute exposure to the sun.  African-Americans and others with dark skin, as well as older individuals, tend to have much lower levels of vitamin D, as do people who are overweight or obese. As people age, their bodies are less able to convert the vitamin into its biologically active form.

Recent Evidence (Hero Worship):

Most of us are aware that vitamin D is important in preventing osteoporosis by helping us to absorb Calcium.  There is now evidence that Vitamin D plays a much broader disease-fighting role than once thought. Recent studies suggest it  may play role in protecting from chronic diseases such as:

  • cancer,
  • cardiovascular disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • type 1 diabetes
  • depression,
  • seasonal affective disorder (SAD),
  • anxiety disorders
  • schizophrenia.

Research also suggests dietary intake at critical point during pregnancy may impact the programming of fetal health and likelihood of
developing chronic disease later in life. There also some research which found links between vitamin D deficiency and Flu, and the Common Cold, Cardiovascular disease and infectious diseases.

What about toxicity?

Toxicity is rare but should be considered only in special circumstances.  Toxicity was found to occur in adults taking 50,000iu for several months or infants given 10,000iu per day for one month. To reduce risk of toxicity, intake of more than 2000iu per day should be considered only is special circumstances and on the advice of your doctor. Those with kidney disease may not process vitamin d properly and should talk to their doctor. For safety, The Canadian Pediatric Sociesty recommends using a product which contains 400iu per dose

What about the sun?

A light skinned person in a bathing suit can produce 10,000iu of D3 during 12 minutes of July sun exposure in Boston. Interestingly, the same UVB that helps us produce D3 also breaks it down.  This may be why North Americans (especially northern North Americans) are increasingly deficient when only supplementing in the winter.  With skin cancer being one of the most prevalent cancers, experts are advising people to avoid peak sun exposure and always use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

What about diet?

Two of the best dietary sources are fortified milk and canned tuna.But you would need to drink about 3L (almost a gallon) of milk or eat six 3oz cans of tuna to get the suggested 1000iu.  On top of that, food sources provide D2 which is somewhat less potent than the D3 that our bodies naturally use.

Recommendations.

  • To prevent deficiency, the traditional recommended allowances have been: For infants up to 12 months: 400iu(for breastfed infants); for children and healthy adults: 600iu; for treatment or prevention of osteoporosis: 800iu per day.
  • Health agencies in many countries including Canada and the U.S. now recommend children over 9 and adults take between 1000 to 2000iu per day.  Infants and children under 9 should not be given more than 1000iu per day.
  • The Canadian Cancer Society recommends adults take a supplement of 1000iu per day during the fall and winter months and all year round for people who are at higher risk of low vitamin D levels. This group includes people who are older, have dark skin, who don't go outside often and who wear clothing that covers most of their skin.
  • The Institute of Medicine is now recommending adults take up to 4000iu per day.
Whether or not you agree that it is a health hero, it seems there are benefits to ensuring you are getting enough vitamin D are clear.  I recommend most adults should take 1000iu to 2000iu per day (including diet).  Now put on some sun screen and go enjoy the outdoors!

‘til next time,

..........How can I Feelbest?

Considering a vitamin D supplement?  Try Platinum Naturals Vitamin D3 or DDrops 180 Drops

Looking for a good sunscreen?  Consider the new Ultra Fluid Lotion Anthelios SPF 60 50ml

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