Vitamin D Facts
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin at all. Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble pro-hormones that regulate calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood aiding in bone growth and remodeling. Vitamin D also affects the immune system by promoting anti-tumor activity. Where do we get Vitamin D? Several forms of Vitamin D have been discovered, however, there are two main forms: D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is produced in plants and fungus in response to UV radiation. D2 is also used in fortified milk and most dietary supplements. Humans and other vertebrates do not naturally produce Vitamin D2. Vitamin D3 is made naturally in humans when a form of cholesterol in the skin is exposed to Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB). It can also be found in fish and cod liver oils. What is the most effective form of Vitamin D? D3 is the most effective and potent form of Vitamin D. On average, a person can generate 10,000 IU’s of Vitamin D with 10-15 minutes of full body, unprotected sun exposure per day. This of course depends heavily on skin type. People with darker pigmentation require more time in the sun to generate the same amount of Vitamin D as people with lighter pigmentation. According to a study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vitamin D2 is not as effective at raising blood concentration in the elderly as it is in younger people. By contrast, Vitamin D3 had similar effectiveness between all age groups. Source: The case against Vitamin D2 as a vitamin supplement
How much Vitamin D do we need? Most experts now agree that the FDA guideline of 400 IU per day of Vitamin D may not be enough. To get what are now considered to be optimum levels of Vitamin D, we may need anywhere from 800 – 4,000 IU's of Vitamin D per day. There are some concerns regarding toxicity and supplementation at these higher recommendations. When our bodies are exposed to UV light, Vitamin D production is auto-regulated, so toxicity is not a problem with this method. Vitamin D quick facts and stats:
٠ As many as 75% of Americans may not be getting enough vitamin D for optimal health
٠ Harvard Scientists have discovered that men with high levels of Vitamin D were less likely to suffer heart attacks than men with the lowest levels of Vitamin D
٠ To get the vitamin D value of ten minutes' exposure to sunlight, you'd have to eat...
- 6 1/2 pounds of shiitake mushrooms, or
- 150 egg yolks, or
- 3 3/4 pounds of fresh farmed salmon, or
- 30 servings of fortified cereal
٠ The online Journal of Pediatrics reports that 70% of American children are either Vitamin D deficient or insufficient
٠ According to Dr. Marie Savard, there are 5 different ways Vitamin D can save your life
Vitamin D sufficiency is linked to a reduction in 105 diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and most forms of cancer. It is believed that vitamin D deficiency contributes to nearly 400,000 premature deaths and adds a $100 billion burden to our health care system.
77 percent of Americans are considered vitamin D deficient according to government data and overzealous sun avoidance is the only plausible explanation for the 50 percent increase in that figure in the past 15 years.
To learn more and to see other articles on this subject click www.tanningtruth.com
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin at all. Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble pro-hormones that regulate calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood aiding in bone growth and remodeling. Vitamin D also affects the immune system by promoting anti-tumor activity. Where do we get Vitamin D? Several forms of Vitamin D have been discovered, however, there are two main forms: D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is produced in plants and fungus in response to UV radiation. D2 is also used in fortified milk and most dietary supplements. Humans and other vertebrates do not naturally produce Vitamin D2. Vitamin D3 is made naturally in humans when a form of cholesterol in the skin is exposed to Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB). It can also be found in fish and cod liver oils. What is the most effective form of Vitamin D? D3 is the most effective and potent form of Vitamin D. On average, a person can generate 10,000 IU’s of Vitamin D with 10-15 minutes of full body, unprotected sun exposure per day. This of course depends heavily on skin type. People with darker pigmentation require more time in the sun to generate the same amount of Vitamin D as people with lighter pigmentation. According to a study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vitamin D2 is not as effective at raising blood concentration in the elderly as it is in younger people. By contrast, Vitamin D3 had similar effectiveness between all age groups. Source: The case against Vitamin D2 as a vitamin supplement
How much Vitamin D do we need? Most experts now agree that the FDA guideline of 400 IU per day of Vitamin D may not be enough. To get what are now considered to be optimum levels of Vitamin D, we may need anywhere from 800 – 4,000 IU's of Vitamin D per day. There are some concerns regarding toxicity and supplementation at these higher recommendations. When our bodies are exposed to UV light, Vitamin D production is auto-regulated, so toxicity is not a problem with this method. Vitamin D quick facts and stats:
٠ As many as 75% of Americans may not be getting enough vitamin D for optimal health
٠ Harvard Scientists have discovered that men with high levels of Vitamin D were less likely to suffer heart attacks than men with the lowest levels of Vitamin D
٠ To get the vitamin D value of ten minutes' exposure to sunlight, you'd have to eat...
- 6 1/2 pounds of shiitake mushrooms, or
- 150 egg yolks, or
- 3 3/4 pounds of fresh farmed salmon, or
- 30 servings of fortified cereal
٠ The online Journal of Pediatrics reports that 70% of American children are either Vitamin D deficient or insufficient
٠ According to Dr. Marie Savard, there are 5 different ways Vitamin D can save your life
- Promoting Weight Loss – Your insulin works better and Vitamin D reduces belly fat
- Reduces Risk of Death – Your overall mortality rate is reduced
- Fewer Bone Fractures – Without Vitamin D, calcium can not be absorbed
- Reduces Risk of Heart Disease – Improves blood flow by relaxing blood vessels. Lowers blood pressure
- Helps fight cancer – Improves functioning of immune system that helps fight cancer
Vitamin D sufficiency is linked to a reduction in 105 diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and most forms of cancer. It is believed that vitamin D deficiency contributes to nearly 400,000 premature deaths and adds a $100 billion burden to our health care system.
77 percent of Americans are considered vitamin D deficient according to government data and overzealous sun avoidance is the only plausible explanation for the 50 percent increase in that figure in the past 15 years.
To learn more and to see other articles on this subject click www.tanningtruth.com
