Vitamin D Deficiency Impact on Health

What is Vitamin D?

It is critical to our health that we increase our awareness of a Vitamin D Deficiency impact on our longevity. Vitamin D is often called nature’s Vitamin. We produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun.

This vitamin is more like a hormone and is critical to optimal functioning of our bodies. Our ancestors roamed the pastures in the sun, but in our modern world, we rarely go outside, and when we do venture out, we slather on sunscreen, effectively preventing the production of this hormone.

Does Skin Color Matter?

Turns out skin color may play a critical role in your ability to synthesize vitamin D efficiently. A Study published in 2013 with patients of different skin color who were severely deficient in Vitamin D concluded that lighter skinned individuals were more efficient at producing Vitamin D from the sun than individuals with darker skin color.

The point? We need to become aware of Vitamin D deficiency impact, and Vitamin D levels by getting our labs done regularly, and then making a conscious effort to increase our levels.

Why We Need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D deficiency apparently plays a major role in chronic illnesses, as well as acute injuries. A 2013 Study found that adequate levels of Vitamin D is necessary for protection against autoimmune diseases, dementia, cancers, diabetes, mental illnesses, neuro-cognitive dysfunctions, infectious diseases, cardio vascular diseases, fertility, pregnancy complications, cardiovascular diseases, falls, fractures, muscle weakness, and a host of other complications, including gastrointestinal, hepatic, and renal disease.

Optimal Level of Vitamin D

According to the Mayo Clinic, severe deficiency is defined as 10 ng/mL, whereas mild to moderate deficiency is between 10-24 ng/mL. Optimal levels of Vitamin D is between 25-80 ng/mL. Most Functional Doctors recommend levels between 50-80 ng/mL.

Vitamin D is fat soluble, so we may accumulate toxic levels if we are taking high dose supplementation consistently. The Mayo Clinic defines that level of toxicity as 80 ng/mL or greater.

How to Test?

Your Vitamin D level can be tested during your regular checkup with your family doctor. There are companies that offer at home kits that can be used to monitor your Vitamin D level. One such company is mylabbox.com.