Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because your skin makes vitamin D from the sun’s rays. The amount of the vitamin D your skin makes depends on the time of day, season, skin color, weight, gastric intestinal absorption disorders, liver disease and age.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is needed to build and maintain strong bones. Low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with Rickets in children and lower bone mineral density in adults. Recent research has linked insufficient vitamin D to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, infection and a decline in overall health. Nearly three out of four Americans now have vitamin D levels below what is necessary for optimal health. Even though we have the ability to synthesize our own Vitamin D when we are exposed to ultraviolet rays of the sun. Many Americans are drinking less milk and staying indoors or using sun blockers when outside, which are the main reasons for the decreasing vitamin D levels in the population. It is a common cause of fatigue, as well as contributes to a lack of coordination.
Lately, we have seen more young women who are deficient in Vitamin D, these woman are prone to weight gain, short stature and fat on the abdomen. Clinicians need to identify vitamin D levels in young adults who are at risk by using a simple and useful blood test. The lack of Vitamin D in young adults can cause fat accumulation and increase risk for chronic disorders later in life. Patients may need a minimum of 1,400 and up to 2,000 IU a day as a recommended dosage. Obese patients need at least one and a half times as much, since fat sequesters the vitamin D. On the opposite age category, patients over 65 with low bone mineral density taking the prescribed dosage of vitamin D supplement decrease the risk of bone fracture by 33 percent and increase balance.
Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish (like mackerel, salmon and tuna), egg yokes, and beef liver. Vitamin D is also added to many other foods such as milk, margarine, and breakfast cereals. It is very difficult to get the vitamin D you need from sunshine and food alone. That is why patients may take vitamin D supplements.
You can get a blood test ordered from any primary care provider to determine if you have low Vitamin D levels. Before taking any supplements, talk to your healthcare professional. A prescription may very well be necessary for several months to bring a low vitamin D level back up to adequate levels
Garrison Family Medical Group is located at 18520 Via Princessa, Suite C2 in Canyon Country. For more information, please call 888-333-2996.