Thursday, October 10, 2013



VITAMIN D-3…DO I NEED IT?

Q.    Why do I need to take Vitamin D?  For years I heard too much of it was a bad thing.  Now, from what I read, I can’t get enough! 
Joseph P.

A.  Vitamin D (specifically D-3) is the only vitamin the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB).  Yet with today’s indoor living and the extensive use of sunscreens due to concern about skin cancer, we are now a society with millions of folks deficient in life-sustaining, bone building and immune modulating vitamin D-3. 

For more than a century, scientists have recognized that vitamin D-3 is involved in supporting bone health.  Research has continued to accumulate, documenting D-3’s role in reduction of the risk of fractures to a significant degree.  The latest research, however, shows that a vitamin D-3 deficiency is linked to a surprising number of other health conditions.  These conditions could include depression, back pain, cancer, both insulin resistance and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, impaired immunity and macular degeneration.

You are correct, for years we were told that vitamin D was essentially the same as the other fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A, D, E & K) and to be careful not to overdose.  Due to modern technological research, this recommendation has changed.  Vitamin D-3 research has shown that most of us need from 1000 to 5000 units of the nutrient daily for “optimal” health.

Vitamin D-3 (at the above recommended dosages) is available at most health food stores, drug stores and online retailers.  D-3 is also available in a variety of forms ranging from capsules to sub-lingual spray bottles.

AMV



*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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