Vitamin D is one of the “hottest” avenues of research in
allopathic medicine* today.  There is
increasing physician and patient awareness about having the right vitamin D
level for optimal health.  Interestingly,
vitamin D, the vitamin we get from the sun, is shockingly low in most
patients.  Of course you might not be
surprised if I said nearly the whole state of Minnesota is vitamin D deficient, but
could you absorb it if I said to you that I practice in sunny Florida and over
75% of my patients are low in vitamin D. 
I am not sure if it is because we hide from the sun’s heat or if we
slather on gobs of sunscreen, but it’s what the labs show time and time
again. 

Research based recommendations can vary but you are at risk
for preventable diseases at levels less than 32 ng/ml.  I recommend a level of at least 40 ng/ml,
best above 50 ng/ml, and for some conditions up to 70 ng/ml.  Just a note: 
Toxic levels are above 150 ng/ml and are very rare with safe
supplementation. 

Hopefully, it’s obvious to get your level checked, but remember there
is only one valid way to do so.  Ask your
doctor to order a 25-OH Vitamin D level (pronounced 25 high drox ee).  Any other vitamin D test is not measuring a
true indication of your vitamin D status.  Luckily, this test generally is covered by
most insurance companies.  If you are
low, especially if your level is under 32, you are at an increased risk for
osteoporosis, many cancers (especially breast, colon, prostate, pancreas, and
skin), psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases to name just a few.

More to come this week on this subject so you can be in-the-know
about this “Super Vitamin”.

* Allopathic medicine is a term used to describe the more common form of medicine practiced in the US.  It is also referred to as conventional medicine.

This website and blog are for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.