One winter health hazard you can’t afford to ignore
We are now deep into the winter, with its shorter days and longer, colder nights. There are quite a few health challenges that come to the forefront this season—the most obvious being a greater susceptibility to colds and the flu. But I’d like to take a moment to highlight another widespread concern that deserves everyone’s attention this winter… one that could have a major impact on your health, both in the months and years ahead.
I’m talking about vitamin D deficiency. Whether you’re taking a multivitamin or not, chances are good that you’re still short on this incredibly important nutrient, especially while daylight is scarce. Why? Because while foods like milk and fish contain modest amounts of ergocalciferol (or vitamin D2), the most bioavailable source of this vitamin is actually the sun.
Many people don’t realize it, but your body generates the majority of its vitamin D (in the form of cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3, which is more readily converted into its final active form called 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol) as a reaction to direct sun exposure. So it’s no surprise that both adults and children who spend more than four hours a day watching TV, using computers, or playing video games—presumably indoors—are more likely to be deficient than those who spend regular amounts of time enjoying themselves outdoors.
Elderly, obese, and darker-skinned individuals face additional challenges when it comes to maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. And of course, the shorter, colder days of winter pose an obvious risk in this department for all of us.
In the earlier days, every child was given a daily dose of cod liver oil, which is a rich source of vitamin D as well as a source of omega 3 fatty acids. Today, however, most of us are deficient in vitamin D—leading to lowered immune function and dramatically reduced protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease, viral and bacterial infections, and abnormal blood sugar regulation.
Vitamin D is emerging as an absolutely essential key in the prevention and treatment of the most devastating illnesses of our modern age. Aside from being a well-known bone-builder that increases your body’s absorption of calcium, research has readily shown that vitamin D can enhance cell differentiation while slowing the growth and metastasis of cancerous tumors—effectively doubling survival rates among breast, prostate, and colon cancer patients.
Vitamin D has been shown to play a critical role in nerve health and heart health, too—it’s responsible for regulating the blood pressure hormone renin, and for combating elevated levels of inflammatory C-reactive protein in your body. It also stabilizes your blood sugar, increases your insulin sensitivity, plays a critical role in your natural immune function, and helps to keep the epithelial cells that line your digestive and respiratory systems intact. So it’s easy to see how deficient—or even insufficient—levels of this crucial nutrient could pave the way to some disastrous consequences for your health.
Given the current statistics—including one recent study which revealed that up to seventy percent of American children are short on vitamin D—it’s clear that changes to the current RDA of 400 IU are necessary. That’s why I recommend supplemental vitamin D3 to all of my patients—usually 5,000 IU per day or more, depending on vitamin D levels tested in the blood. During winter when sun exposure is minimal, I often recommend higher doses. Since each individual’s body is different, however, you should always work with a holistic practitioner who can recommend the appropriate dosage for your particular situation and monitor your kidney functions on a regular basis if necessary.
