Vitamin D deficiency is very common in the United States as well as other countries. Being vitamin D deficient can cause more problems than most people realize. It doesn't seem like something we would have to worry about in the United States, but it's one of the leading deficiencies in our country. It is now considered a pandemic. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, bone and cell growth and reduces inflammation. It is important for supporting the immune system, maintaining a healthy body weight, and reducing the risk of many diseases ranging from mild to severe. Vitamin D deficiency can fuel the following:
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Cold; Flu
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Infertility
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Insomnia
- Migraines
- Muscle pain
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Vitamin D is important for people of all ages. It can help maintain brain function for those who are aging as well as supporting early brain development in children. Different doses are recommended for various age groups.
Reasons you may be vitamin D deficient:
- If you are indoors for most of the day you are probably not getting enough sun exposure on a daily basis.
- If you wear sunscreen all the time, your skin isn't absorbing enough vitamin D from the sun. You may want to wear a lighter sunscreen on a daily basis or only wear sunscreen when you will be in the sun for extended periods.
- If you are obese or pregnant, your body will need more vitamin D.
- If you have darker skin, you will need more sun exposure than those with lighter skin.
- If you don't take a vitamin D supplement. It is difficult to get enough vitamin D from your food.
Getting enough vitamin D should be easy since our bodies create it from sun exposure, but most Americans don’t get enough sun exposure on a daily basis. It's important to make sure you get enough sun exposure consistently - not all at once during your summer vacation! If you don't get enough sun exposure there are other ways to make sure you are getting an adequate amount. Taking a supplement is a good way to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D. If you choose to take a supplement, make sure you are taking a good vitamin D supplement without harmful fillers and toxins. Other ways to get vitamin D include eating foods rich in vitamin D such as salmon, tuna, eggs, Portobello mushrooms, raw dairy, tofu, and fortified juice are other great sources. We offer good vitamin D supplements and three different blood work panels at our clinic. We recommend getting blood work done at least one per year to see if you have any deficiencies. Make sure you are getting a healthy dose of vitamin D in your system!Sources:https://draxe.com/vitamin-d-deficiency/http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/87/4/1080S.full
-Dr. John Palmer
Your Birmingham Chiropractor
