Vitamin D has become more and more topical over the last few years but there seems to be a real disconnect between the published evidence and what we hear from allelopathic medicine.
How does Vitamin D work
Simply put, Vitamin D is either ingested from food and supplements, or manufactured by our bodies after the absorption of UV rich sunlight.
The liver then transforms it into Calcitriol that circulates in the blood. The kidneys then complete the process by converting it into a biologically active version that our bodies use in almost every system in our bodies.
Vitamin D deficiency - An ignored epidemic
Vitamin D3 deficiency can result in obesity and weight gain, constipation, headaches and migraines menstrual irregularities, diabetes, hypertension, depression, panic attacks, decreased memory, brain fog, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis and neuro-degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Deficiency of D3 isa causing factor in seventeen varieties of cancers, as well as heart disease, stroke, autoimmune diseases, birth defects, and periodontal disease.
COVID-19 was an eye opener
When D3 levels were tested in patients with COVID-19, there was a dramatic correlation with the severity of the disease.
Patients with D3 levels below 20ng/ml were much more likely to experience critical or severe disease.
Why do we say that medicine has dropped the ball?
Symptoms not causes
Conventional medicine identifies and treats symptoms only, primarily with medications. The root cause of the symptom is not contemplated, and as a result Vit D levels are very rarely tested.
Reference vs Optimal Ranges
Even if levels are tested, reference ranges are 50 years out of date and were designed to only to prevent malnutrition diseases like scurvy or rickets and not for the advancement of health.
Gut Health is critical
Gut Health is almost always ignored by conventional medicine, yet Vit D receptors are in your gut and Vit D deficiency kicks off a cascade of problems including chronic inflammation which we know is at the heart of chronic illness and also decreases pro-biotic efficacy. Medications prescribed to manage gut symptoms often just make it worse.
What the research is telling us.
Vit D and Thyroid
Levels of around 70ng/ml are required for optimal uptake of thyroid hormone into the cells Hypothyroidism (low) thyroid causes many of the symptoms described earlier in this article.
Vit D and Cancer Risk
Levels of greater than 30ng/ml reduces breast cancer risk in women by more than 50% and there is evidence that levels between 60 & 80ng/ml may reduce all cause cancer risk by around 50%
Vit D and Sports Performance
Levels of 70ng/ml have been shown to improve sports performance by 20% and significantly reduce injury severity and improve recovery time.
Vit D and fall risk in older adults
A daily dose of 4,000 IU of vitamin D is recommended for older adults at high risk for falling, to improve muscle strength and balance.
Vit D and Immunity
Health Benefits of Vitamin D: Vitamin D can lower antibodies across the board, which is beneficial for autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s, Graves’, Celiac, Chron’s, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
It also builds stronger bones by being a precursor hormone for a powerful steroid hormone in your body called calcitriol
Where do we stand?
There is overwhelming evidence that Vit D3 levels should be between 60-80 ng/ml. You must be cautious however as levels above 100ng/ml are toxic. This is why working with a trained practitioner is important.
We believe that D3 levels must be managed naturally as much as possible so 15min of sun time daily is important, as is ensuring that D3 rich foods are part of your diet, BUT the health of your gut microbiome is paramount.
85% of adults suffer from some kind of gut dysbiosis. Your Functional Medicine Practitioner will assess your gut health and work with you to heal it.
Even with good food and more sunlight, the reality is that most of us require ongoing D3 supplementation. We are incredibly excited to announce a new partnership with Nano Nutrients in our E-store. Nano Nutrients are locally produced to the highest standards, completely plant based and organic using cutting edge nano-technology.
The Functional Medicine Approach
Functional medicine views Vitamin D deficiency as a significant health concern due to the crucial role Vitamin D plays in our bodies. This is why our focus on root causes highlights the need for an integrated approach to Vit D deficiency
Join our upcoming 5 day Spring Gut Health Challenge
Do you know that most health problems begin in the gut and can affect our overall well-being? During this challenge, we'll help you take control of your health, feel better, reduce inflammation, and gain energy. You can expect daily Facebook Live's from our team of experts, downloadable resources for the whole family and a specific product bundle designed specifically to promote a healthy gut, by Functional Medicine Practitioner Jenny Hague
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