For years, the medical establishment has warned about the dangers of vitamin D toxicity, scaring people away from taking vitamin D supplements. This has led to most people getting barely enough vitamin D to avoid rickets, but not nearly enough for therapeutic health value. We’ve been missing out on the potential health benefits of higher doses of vitamin D, especially for seniors, who are often in serious deficit due to decreased sun exposure and diminished assimilation capacity.
Modern lifestyles, proliferation of sunscreens, and increased awareness of skin cancer have all contributed to decreased sun exposure. At the same time, the modern American diet contains very little of this essential nutrient. Cod liver oil, the best dietary source of vitamin D, is unpalatable to most people. Apart from people living in the South Sea Islands, most Americans receive inadequate vitamin D from sunshine, especially during the winter months.
Research has shown that flu season is directly related to too little sunshine and therefore, too little natural vitamin D. Some experts even argue that the medical establishment has intentionally hidden the benefits of vitamin D to protect their flu vaccine profits. However, the tide may be turning.
The U.K. Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is considering recommending that everyone in the country take a 10 microgram vitamin D supplement, as they recognize that 20% of adults and 16% of children in the U.K. are deficient in vitamin D. Low sunlight levels in the U.K., particularly during winter months, put the population at risk. The National Institutes of Health Care Excellence has even suggested offering “free” supplements or selling low-cost supplements in stores.
Although the 10 micrograms (400 international units) suggested by SACN may not be enough, it seems that the medical community is finally taking the issue of low vitamin D levels seriously.
So What Can Vitamin D Do for You?
Vitamin D is nothing short of a miracle supplement, or more accurately, a hormone. It is vital for maintaining bone health and fighting cancer, particularly in the breasts and prostate. It also supports cardiovascular health, fights the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, helps combat diabetes and its effects, increases insulin production for type 1 diabetes patients, treats rheumatoid arthritis, alleviates psoriasis, and helps to fend off Alzheimer’s disease. And that’s just the beginning.
How Much Vitamin D Should You Take?
The Vitamin D Council estimates that white Americans need about 2,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D each day to maintain sufficient levels, while black Americans may need more due to increased melanin pigment, which decreases skin production of the hormone. The Council actually recommends 5,000 IUs per day for adults, while the U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests 4,000 IUs per day for everyone over the age of 9. You should not exceed 10,000 IUs without medical advice.
When choosing a vitamin D supplement, it’s essential to opt for natural vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), rather than synthetic vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is often prescribed by medical practitioners. Ergocalciferol has been linked to various health problems, such as high calcium levels, nausea, vomiting, constipation, appetite loss, increased thirst, urinary dysfunction, mood swings, severe lethargy, rashes, swelling of the face, mouth and throat, severe dizziness, and breathing problems.
Thus, when it comes to vitamin D, it’s clear that more needs to be made freely available to combat widespread deficiency and to help protect and promote good health. With people gradually realizing the incredible potential of this essential nutrient, the future may be looking a little brighter.
