Vitamin D Health Benefits

Vitamin D health benefits

Vitamin D is critical for proper bone health. It promotes calcium absorption and helps prevent osteoporosis.

Additional roles of vitamin D include reduction of inflammation, neuro muscular support, and possibly warding off depression.

Some studies posit that vitamin D can help with weight loss, and reduction in risk for certain diseases, but there isn't a large body of evidence yet.

Vitamin D and immunity

The immune system requires vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses.

In a randomized trial conducted on over 300 Japanese school children over a 4-month winter flu season, those that received a vitamin D supplement had a 40 percent lower rate in certain types of flu, compared to a control group. However, rates for other types of flu were similar.

Other studies have shown that weekly vitamin D supplements lower the risk of acute respiratory infections.

Vitamin D and Covid-19

Research is ongoing, but definitive conclusions have yet to be published, as this is a new disease. That said, it makes sense to check your vitamin D levels and increase them if they are low.

Based on existing information, some governments are taking action. In the UK, for example, clinically vulnerable people are now receiving a FREE 4-month supply of daily vitamin D supplements.

People at risk for lower levels of vitamin D

• post-menopausal women
• people who had gastric bypass procedures,
• individuals who have celiac and other nutrient absorption related conditions
• dark skinned people whose body is more effective at blocking sunshine

If you are in a risk group, consult with a health professional and consider get tested for vitamin D levels.

Foods with naturally occurring vitamin D

Unfortunately, there are very few foods with naturally occurring vitamin D. They include:

• cod liver oil (1 tablespoon has 34 mcg, 220% of the daily value)
• swordfish (3 oz serving, 14 mcg, 94% DV)
• salmon (3 oz, 11 mcg, 75% DV)
• tuna (canned or fresh) (3 oz, 4 mcg, 25% DV)
• sardines (2 pieces, 1 mcg, 7% DV)
• beef liver (3 oz, 1 mcg, 7% DV)
• eggs, mostly the yolk (1 mcg, 7% DV)

Foods that are fortified with vitamin D

In the US, public health officials have mandated dairy milk be fortified with vitamin D. This historical decision virtually eliminated rickets, a disease that many children suffered from.

• Dairy milk - 25% DV
• Dairy-free milk - varies, check the label
• Orange juice - varies, but juice is high in sugar so may not be worth it.
• Breakfast cereal - some manufacturers add vitamin D, but again, if the cereal is high in sugar, seek nutrients elsewhere.

Vitamin D supplements

If you can't get sufficient amounts of vitamin D from sunshine or food, the supplement industry will be more than happy to sell you some. It is available as D2 or D3.

Vitamin D is actually a group of compounds. The most common are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).

Vitamin D3 is from animal sources, while vitamin D2 is derived from yeast and fungi and as such can be consumed by vegans and vegetarians.

Bottom Line

Vitamin D is a critical component of bone health. Vitamin D may be beneficial to the immune system.

If you've never checked your blood vitamin D levels, do it. In any case, there are multiple food sources as well as supplements to choose from.

Our BMAX multivitamin has vitamin D in it. Suggested doseage is 1 to 3 per day.
I personally take 2 BMAX just before breakfast. I have my D levels checked and since taking the BMAX my D levels are where they should be.
Get started on BMAX today. Get it at.
https://www.herbals-unlimited.com/b-max.htm

B Max Ingredients List

Nutrisail BMax MultiVitamin

Sources:

1. Cranney et al - Effectiveness and safety of vitamin D in relation to bone health - NIH, 2007
2. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.
3. Clarke et al - Vitamin D Insufficiency - Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2011
4. Giovannucci, et al - Epidemic influenza and vitamin D - Epidemiology & Infection, 2006

 

D3 Relieves Pain

D3 Relieves Pain 

While it can't be claimed that taking vitamin D alone will help chronic pain, it is true that many people who experience non-specific musculoskeletal pain are deficient in vitamin D. For these people, supplementing with vitamin D to raise the level in their blood may lessen the amount and lower the intensity of their pain.

During the past 10 years, many researchers have noted that extremely low vitamin D levels correlate with chronic, general pain. Every tissue in our bodies has vitamin D receptors, including all muscles, immune cells, bones and brain cells. Vitamin D, then, is a vitally important hormone in our bodies.

A blood level of 30-40ng/mL is considered normal. The average vitamin D blood level can be as low as 12, and some are so low as to be undetectable. People with inadequate vitamin D blood levels will need to take twice as much narcotic pain medication as those with adequate vitamin D for pain relief. So, while vitamin D does not cure chronic pain, it is an important adjuvant therapy to use in pain treatment management.

Research studies on vitamin D have shown that many types of fatigue and chronic pain are linked to vitamin D deficiency, including chronic musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia syndrome, osteoarthritis, migraine headaches, rheumatic pain and hyperesthesia. For patients who do not respond to other therapy, vitamin D supplementation is recommended to alleviate or perhaps even resolve chronic fatigue and pain issues. Vitamin D therapy has the added benefits of being inexpensive, easy for patients to take and well-tolerated.

People with chronic musculor skeletal pain and vitamin D deficiencies are likely to gain a great deal of relief with vitamin D supplementation. Patients should have their doctor check their vitamin D level before beginning supplementation. Since many Americans have low vitamin D blood levels, it is likely that people with chronic pain have low to undetectable levels of vitamin D in their blood. People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and those suffering with migraine headaches are good candidates for vitamin D supplementation to help with the pain.

Most doctors agree that patients should take 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to relieve pain. Be aware that the therapy must be continued for a few months before relief kicks in. Most likely, patients won't experience complete relief of pain, but they will experience a range of improvement from reduced pain intensity, to partial pain relief, to less frequent pain.

www.Herbals-Unlimited.com