Where Does Vitamin D Come From?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In humans, most circulating vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol following exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) in sunlight, whereas a smaller amount is derived from diet and dietary supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>Diet contributes only between 10% and 20% to Vitamin D levels<\/strong> but becomes more important when sunshine exposure is low. Fish<\/strong> is the major dietary source of vitamin D in humans, plus eggs, fortified dairy products, cod liver oil, and certain types of mushrooms. Calcitriol, or 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, is the hormonally active form of vitamin D that is derived from the following three sources: sunlight, diet, and dietary supplements.<\/strong> There are two precursors to active vitamin D hormones, vitamins D3<\/sub> (cholecalciferol) and D2<\/sub> (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3<\/sub><\/strong> is synthesized in the skin after exposure to UVB light. It may also be obtained from some dietary sources and dietary supplements. <\/strong>Vitamin D2<\/sub><\/strong> is derived solely from the diet (and not from UVB)<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n It is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide have low vitamin D levels. Yes, 1 billion.<\/strong> The worldwide high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is often presented as being clearly linked with the high burden of Vitamin D deficiency complications. Vitamin D deficiency is broken down to Vitamin D insufficiency and Vitamin D deficiency concluded through laboratory analysis. The numbers for Vitamin deficiency are staggering. Here are some notable statistics from the Institute of Medicine<\/a> (IOM)- the nation\u2019s think tank for health research: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research suggests that these two vitamins work synergistically to regulate calcium metabolism in the body, thereby promoting optimal bone density and reducing the risk of fractures. Vitamin D3 facilitates the absorption of calcium from the intestines, while vitamin K2 directs the deposited calcium towards the bones and teeth instead of soft tissues like arteries. Studies, such as a randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, have demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin D3 and K2 supplementation in improving bone mineral density (BMD) and reducing the incidence of arterial calcification. Additionally, this combination is believed to play a crucial role in cardiovascular health by preventing the accumulation of arterial plaques. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Lipid Research highlights the potential of vitamin K2 in reducing arterial stiffness and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about the health benefits of Vitamin K2<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin D plays a role in regulating adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine production in the brain, as well as protecting against the depletion of serotonin and dopamine. This is the possible link with vitamin D\u2019s role in depression. The research is new in this area, and only the associations have been shown so far. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an 8%-14% increase in depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the health benefits associated with vitamin D may come from its role in decreasing inflammation. Research has shown a decrease in levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. The relationship between Vitamin D and bone health is well known, but it can also impact joint and muscle health. Any part of the body can be affected but common areas include hips, wrists and hands, chest and breastbone, and the long muscles of the legs and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have clearly shown that people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are consistently low in Vitamin D levels. This means constipation, diarrhea, gas & bloating, abdominal tenderness. Also, people with bowel problems like Crohn\u2019s, gluten sensitivity, or other malabsorption problems can have a difficult time absorbing Vitamin D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessive sweating due to neuromuscular irritability and overstimulation of sweat glands is still described as a common, early symptom of vitamin D deficiency. The most common areas for this to occur is the head and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Vitamin D really acts more like a hormone than a vitamin in most bodily functions, Vitamin D can have a tremendous impact on the rest of the hormones in your body. Here are just some examples of how Vitamin D affects your hormones: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, since Vitamin D deficiency is also related to Cardiovascular disease and Cardiovascular disease is related to Erectile Dysfunction (ED), some researchers have suggested that Vitamin D may be helpful for ED.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Individuals with Vitamin D deficiency are at higher risk for upper respiratory infections and wheezing disorders. Vitamin D has also been implicated in the reversal of corticosteroid resistance and in airway remodeling, which are the hallmarks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severe asthma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated in people who suffer from sleep apnea. It has also been shown to be more common in children who suffer from nightmares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Allergic and autoimmune conditions of the skin such as psoriasis, eczema, and hives have all responded favorably to Vitamin D supplementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overweight and obese people produce less active Vitamin D than individuals with normal BMI. Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is higher in persons with high subcutaneous adiposity and high visceral adiposity than in persons with low subcutaneous and visceral adiposity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n African Americans are at greater <\/em>risk of vitamin D deficiency, because if you have dark skin, you may need as much as 10 times more<\/strong> sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as a person with pale skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin D supplementation has been found in research to have positive effects on the following health conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n At present, based on the evaluation of healthy populations that get plenty of natural sun exposure, the optimal range for general health appears to be somewhere between 50 and 75 ng\/ml.<\/strong> Up until recently, research suggested taking 1000 IU (25mcg) daily to reach an optimal vitamin D status of 70nmol\/L, however, new research<\/a> suggests an intake for all adults of 2,000 IU (50mcg) daily<\/strong> to achieve a new optimal vitamin D status of 75nmol\/L. For short-term treatment<\/strong> of Vitamin D deficiency, doses of 50,000 IU per week for 6-12 weeks are often needed<\/strong> (cumulative dose of 600,000 IU or more). For long-term treatment<\/strong>, maximum doses should not exceed more than 4000 IU\/day for adults. Maximum doses<\/strong> are at 4000 IU\/day to avoid hypercalcemia and toxicity occurs at 10,000 IU\/day. The new recommended daily allowance (RDA) for bone health<\/strong>, is as follows: <70 years of age, 600 IU daily; > 71 years, 800 IU daily; and for pregnant and lactating women, 600 IU daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is strongly recommended to add Vitamin D to your supplementation regimen to ensure you’re avoiding any Vitamin D deficiencies. Add Vitamin D to your formula<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Natural Medicines Database. Vitamin D Professional Monograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Textbook Of Natural Medicine<\/em>. Pizzorno, Joseph E., Murray, Michael T. 4th Ed. St. Louis, Mo: Churchill Livingstone. 2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Role Of Vitamin D Deficiency In Extraskeletal Complications: Predictor Of Health Outcome Or Marker Of Health Status?<\/em> Guessous, I. BioMed Research International. Volume 2015 (2015)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Zhuang, Y., Zhu, Z., Chi, P., Zhou, H., Peng, Z., Cheng, H., Xin, X., Luo, W., Si, S., Mo, M., Chen, D., Liu, H., & Yu, Y. (2023, August 24). Efficacy of intermittent versus daily vitamin D supplementation on improving circulating 25(OH)d concentration: A bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials<\/em>. Frontiers in nutrition. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10488712\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Kuang , X., Liu, C., Guo, X., Li, K., Deng, Q., & Li, D. (2020, April 30). The combination effect of vitamin K and vitamin D on human bone quality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials<\/em>. Food & function. https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32219282\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Vitamin D deficiency is becoming increasingly more common in America and can have both short and long term…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":597,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Common Is Vitamin D Deficiency?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 Work Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Depression<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Joint and Muscle Pain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Gastrointestinal Issues<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Hormone Imbalances<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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6. More Colds or Breathing Difficulties<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Trouble Sleeping?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
8. Eczema, Psoriasis and Skin Disorders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
9. Being Overweight or Obese<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
10. For Those with Dark Skin…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Optimizing Vitamin D Levels Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Are The Optimal Levels of Vitamin D?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As for how<\/em> to optimize your vitamin D levels, we firmly believe that appropriate sun exposure is the best way. 15-20 min of direct sunlight to 20% of your body is all you need to achieve an optimal range.<\/strong> Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in healthy individuals or those with serious illness (cancer, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, autism) should be individualized to maintain 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the normal range (50-75ng\/mL).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is The Best Dosing For Vitamin D Deficiency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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