It seems like we’re all a little brighter when the suns out…right? You bet, and here’s why; its metabolic product, calcitriol, is a secosteroid that impacts over 2000 of our body’s genes! It’s a strong factor in the pathology of, and therefore may help ward off at least 17 types of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and…well that’s enough for me; yikes! It’s time to take notice folks; we NEED those summer rays! And for much more than a sexy tan! To compensate for lack of the “Big Yellow Guy” as in cases where we’re locked in cubicles all day or attempting to survive a winter like this one; we’d have to drink 50 glasses of milk per day or take up to 10 multi vitamins! Research vitamin D for more info and find out if you could have a vitamin deficiency. I Personally double my D supplement during the winter months. Below is a bit more info from “The Vitamin D Council” to brighten your outlook and lift you out of the winter doldrums. See you at the BEACH!
How to get enough vitamin D according to the “Vitamin D Council”. There are 3 ways for adults to insure adequate levels of vitamin D:
- Regularly receive midday sun exposure in the late spring, summer, and early fall, exposing as much of the skin as possible (being careful to never burn).
- Regularly use a sun bed (avoiding sunburn) during the colder months.
- Take 5,000 IU per day for 2–3 months, then obtain a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. Adjust your dosage so that blood levels are between 50–80 ng/mL (or 125–200 nM/L) year-round.
Vitamin D has co-factors that the body needs in order to utilize vitamin D properly. They are:
- magnesium
- zinc
- vitamin K2
- boron
- genestein
- a tiny amount of vitamin A
Magnesium is the most important of these co-factors. In fact, it is common for rising vitamin D levels to exacerbate any underlying magnesium deficiency. If one is having problems supplementing with vitamin D, a magnesium deficiency could be the reason why. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.