Spotlight on Vitamin D
Spotlight on Vitamin D
In todays modern world it is virtually impossible to achieve adequate nutrients from our diet and environment at all times. For this reason, Vitamin D is recommended for supplementation.
You are probably thinking that Australian’s living in ‘the sunburnt country’ need not to be concerned with vitamin D supplementation.
Are you reading this outside in the sunshine, with arms, legs, fat and possibly top uncovered? Do you spend every lunch break outside, or do you eat indoors?
Do you always apply sunscreen, blocking vitamin D absorption?
Even if you are getting some sun, how well does your gut work? Did you know that if you eat gluten and grains regularly and have done so for a while, then the answer is probably ‘not very well’.
Incidentally, you cannot ‘feel’ symptoms of malabsorption in the intestines, so answering that question with ‘my guts feel fine’ doesn’t cut it.
Small bowel disorders like leaky gut syndrome, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases (usually caused by high grain consumption and poor stress management) can cause poor conversion of vitamin D. So even if you are getting ‘enough’ sunlight, if you are still eating grains, you may not be absorbing it!
The stats say that one third of Australians are vitamin D deficient!
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with:
Osteoporosis (weak bones)
Impaired immunity
Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Stroke
Heart Disease
Liver Disease
Depression + other disturbances of mood
Muscle mass asting
Gun Disease
Certain forms of cancer, including prostate, breast and even skin!
Parkinson’s Disease
Dementia
Asthma (exacerbation in children may be increased by 70% when a child is vitamin D deficient)
Autoimmune conditions such as:
- Alopecia Areata (hair falling out)
- Vitiligo (skin pigmentation loss)
- Psoriasis (dry itchy skin)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
Many more.
For most individuals not exposed to daily sunlight, a reasonable dose is 2000-10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. This level is considered safe. Excessive amounts of supplementation can cause a toxic effect on your system. (It is best to take your supplement in the morning with a high fat meal.)
Make sure that the supplement products you purchase have Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) written on the bottle. One of the best sources is Lanolin (from sheep’s wool) contained in certified organic olive oil. The measurements should equate to 1000 IU per dose either in tablet form, gel caps or liquid. Avoid products with preservatives.
We recommend:
D-Sufficiency Vitamin D3 Drops by Innate Choice