Call Toll Free – Australia 1 800 719 673 / USA & Canada 1 800 810 4796

Are You Deficient In Vitamin D?

Written by

Deborah Freudenmann BHSc

Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health issue. It is estimated that nearly 3 billion people suffer from vitamin D deficiency across the world, while 50% of the population has vitamin D insufficiency. Around 75-80% of Americans are deficient in this important vitamin!

With the discovery of vitamin D receptors in tissues other than the gut and bone—especially the brain, breast, prostate, and lymphocytes—and the recent research suggesting that higher vitamin D levels provide protection from various diseases. Including diseases such as diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression, several autoimmune diseases, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon, we can now utilize vitamin D for a wider range of preventive and therapeutic applications to maintain and improve our patients’ health.

The exposure to sunlight is considered the most efficient way to ensure the body is not deprived of this nutrient. Sunlight is not just some wavelengths of light hitting our body, it also acts as a signalling molecule and triggers several crucial processes in the body including the synthesis of vitamin D. More than 90% of systemic Vitamin D originates from the skin and around 10% from food intake.

What different forms of vitamin D?

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form of vitamin D produced in the skin and consumed in the diet. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is produced by irradiating fungi, is much less efficient as a precursor to the biologically active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol). Therefore, cholecalciferol is the preferred form in supplementation.

Factors causing inadequate vitamin D levels

Inadequate sun exposure

Sunlight forms an essential factor needed for triggering the chain of events that occur during the secretion of vitamin D in the skin. Inadequate exposure to sunlight due to staying indoors for several weeks or months can reduce vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

Sunlight exposure is also greatly depending on season, country and skin coverage with clothes.

Sunscreen use

Excessive use of sunscreen may prevent the entry of beneficial wavelengths of the sun rays into the deeper layers of the skin due to which the vitamin D synthesis can get affected.

Insufficient intake in the diet

Vitamin D can also be obtained via the diet and therefore lack of Vitamin D rich foods can also play a role in deficiencies. The best food sources of vitamin D are egg yolks, mushrooms, fatty fish, liver, and grass-fed cheese and butter.

This also suggests why vitamin D deficiency tends to be more common in vegetarians and vegans. It is advisable to include the vegetarian sources of vitamin D in the diet or use vitamin D supplements in order to avoid the deficiency of this nutrient in vegans and vegetarians.

Underlying liver & kidney pathology

Patients who suffer from liver or kidneys disorders are likely to develop vitamin D deficiency. The inefficient functioning of these vital organs can hamper the normal physiological processes involved in vitamin D synthesis and thus, lead to the deficiency in spite of adequate dietary intake and sun exposure.

Malabsorption conditions

Patients who suffer from digestive issues that cause malabsorption of food in the intestine such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, or pancreatic insufficiency are likely to develop vitamin D deficiency.
These diseases can reduce the absorption of calcium in the body due to which vitamin D would remain under-utilised. As a result, the patients may develop signs of vitamin D deficiency.

Subclinical deficiencies

Deficiency of other nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K can also occur in patients with vitamin D deficiency due to the common causes they share such as poor nutrition and malabsorption syndrome.

Side effects of medications

Certain medications like corticosteroids and anti-seizure drugs can interfere with vitamin D synthesis resulting in the deficiency of this nutrient.

Why is Vitamin D so important?

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in many body functions and therefore in overall health and well-being.

Vitamin D plays a central role in modulating your immune system, muscle function, cardiovascular and respiratory health as well as brain development. Once activated, Vitamin D works by managing calcium in your blood, bones and gut.

Benefits of Vitamin D
  • Immunoregulatory as manifested by its ability to reduce inflammation
  • Modulates neurotransmitters and therefore has antidepressant and anti-convulsant benefits
  • Suppress and/or prevent certain autoimmune diseases
  • Reduce the risk of cancer development
  • Reduce the severity and frequency of infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and influenza
  • Promotes bone health
  • Prevents cognitive decline
  • Reduces musculoskeletal pain
  • Prevents endometriosis and PCOS
  • Improves chronic fatigue
  • Reduces suffering by alleviating the morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, epilepsy, migraine, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
  • Overall supports general health

Vitamin D and the Immune system

D3 is an immunomodulator targeting various immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, as well as T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. Several epidemiological studies have linked inadequate vitamin D levels to a higher susceptibility of immune-mediated disorders including chronic infections and autoimmune diseases.

What happens if your deficient?

Failure to meet physiologic needs creates insufficiency/deficiency and results in subtle yet widespread disturbances in cellular function. In turn this can promote the development or manifestation of long-latency deficiency diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, depression, epilepsy, type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance, autoimmune disease, migraine, polycystic ovary syndrome, and musculoskeletal pain.


What are optimal Vitamin D levels?

Based on our review of the literature, the optimal—“sufficient and safe”—range for 25(OH)D correlates with serum levels of 40–65 ng/mL (100–160 nmol/L) Several authors so even go up to 40–100 ng/mL (100–250 nmol/L) as a safe range. These higher values are often advised for diseases such as MS.

Years ago, people spent much more time outdoors yet today we see an entirely different situation. Especially with children, most of them spend unprecedented hours inside — watching television, playing games and glued to the internet.

Why is sunshine such an important part of this equation? Not only for your vitamin D levels but also in creating overall health and wellbeing.

A few of our favourites below

Click here if you want to find yourself a good quality Vitamin D supplement.

The role of sunlight in human health

Sunlight is best known for increasing serum levels of vitamin D. However, the benefits of sun exposure are not limited to promoting vitamin D synthesis. It has several other lesser-known benefits as explained below.

Maintains hormonal balance

Exposure to sunlight could help to maintain the balance of hormones in the body. It would increase the secretion of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. These are the feel-good hormones that play a key role in improving mood and preventing depression.

Supports melatonin secretion at night

Sunlight exposure would lessen the secretion of melatonin during the daytime and trigger it again in the evening hours once darkness approaches. This is how exposure to sunlight during the daytime would regulate the melatonin production and help you sleep well at night.
The reduced production of melatonin during the daytime would also enhance your level of alertness and improve your daytime productivity.

Thus, sunlight exposure would govern the circadian rhythm and restore a healthy sleep-wake routine by creating beneficial hormesis in the body.

Raises nitric oxide

Exposure to sunlight would increase the level of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide can create a natural vasodilator effect and thus, reduce your blood pressure. This is why; exposure to sunlight for a very short duration every day is recommended for patients with hypertension.

Regulates sirtuins

Sunlight exposure might help to regulate the activities of sirtuins, a type of protein that can regulate cellular homeostasis. This would promote homeostasis thus keeping the cellular functions in balance.

Also, sirtuins can function only in the presence of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a critical coenzyme involved in several metabolic processes. Sunlight exposure would also promote the secretion of NAD+ thereby promoting metabolic functions and supporting the activities of sirtuins.

Promotes antioxidant defense

Sunlight exposure is recommended for promoting the body’s natural antioxidant defenses. It would also activate the other natural defense mechanisms of the body like autophagy and apoptosis thus protecting you against the risk of cancer, infections, and autoimmune disorders.
Helps ATP production
Sunlight exposure can help the body produce energy in the form of ATPs more efficiently allowing you to feel fresh and energetic all day long.

Conclusion

The best and natural way to increase your Vitamin D levels is sunlight, however for many people, supplementation may be necessary to increase their levels of vitamin D to optimal levels. Vitamin D plays a central role in modulating your immune system, muscle function, cardiovascular and respiratory health as well as brain development. Sunlight on the other hand, does more than just promoting vitamin D synthesis. It affects several other fundamental processes in the body. This marks the need to ensure you receive adequate sunlight exposure for protecting yourself against disease development.

  • Become A TRULY HEAL Functional Medicine Health Coach

    Start an exciting career as a functional medicine health coach and help your clients live a healthier and more fulfilled life.

  • The FREE Functional Medicine Training will give you insights into the workings of a TRULYHEAL Health Coach. You will learn that treating the patient and not the disease makes the real difference.

  • Learn how to save thousands of $$ for treatments you can easily do at home. 

  • Watch “TRULY HEAL from CANCER” now completely Free! You have also access to the original version “CANCER is curable NOW”

  • Learn more about PEMF Therapy at the PEMF Expert academy

  • At the O3 academy we will show you how to set up a little home clinic to treat many different maladies like open wounds, infections, cancer or even leaky gut. 

  • At the HYPERTHERMIA academy you can learn how every German clinic uses fever therapy once a week to boost the immune system, increase white blood cell count and detoxifies the body like little else. 

  • Providing You Truly Unique & Effective Vitamin Supplements

  • Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Related Articles

    Education

    Understanding Colon Cancer

    Let’s dive into the world of colon cancer—a significant health concern that affects countless lives. Colon cancer ranks as the third most common cancer-related cause of death in the United States. Colon cancer takes root in the large intestine affects 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women at some point in their life. In this article, we’ll learn about colon cancer, explore its signs and symptoms, delve into its root causes, understand treatment options, and arm you with natural strategies to support your well-being.

    Read More »
    Education

    Phytonutrients: Exploring the Benefits

    As we learn more about the importance of a healthy diet, the term “phytonutrients” has become increasingly popular. But what exactly are phytonutrients? Why are they important for our health, and where can we find them? In this article, we’ll explore the world of phytonutrients, their benefits, and how you can incorporate them into your diet.

    Read More »
    Education

    PEMF Therapy & Stroke

    A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to it by blood vessels. When blood flow to the brain is interrupted, brain cells can start to die within minutes. This can cause permanent brain damage or even death. The symptoms of a stroke can vary depending on which part of the brain is affected.

    Read More »
    Education

    Myocarditis & Pericarditis

    Myocarditis and pericarditis are two types of heart inflammation and damage to the heart muscles. These two conditions can lead to some serious and unwanted consequences. In this blog, we will explore the differences between myocarditis and pericarditis, their symptoms, causes and various treatment options. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium), while pericarditis is an inflammation of the lining that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Both conditions can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms related to heart function.

    Read More »
    Education

    Functional Approach to Athletes Foot

    Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is caused by a fungus. It is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes, which thrive in warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes or locker room floors.
    The infection often strikes in “athletes”, who tend to have sweaty feet stuck in tight-fitting shoes for long periods of time. However, the rash can affect non-athletes just as commonly – especially if you wear shoes all day and sweat. Athletes foot can also be spread from person-to-person via unwashed clothes, shared towels, and even contaminated floors.

    Read More »
    Education

    Eating 30 Plants Every Week For Gut Health

    That’s 30 different types of plants across all 6 plant food groups: fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes (beans & pulses), nuts & seeds, herbs & spices. Plant-based foods play a key role in improving gut health by contributing to the diversity of the gut microbiome.
    Why?
    The more diverse, whole plant-based foods you eat, the more you’re likely to boost the diversity of the trillions of gut microbes you have.

    Read More »

    UNLOCK ALL HIDDEN content

    Trulyheal Course DVD

    Create your FREE account now to access all locked content and receive our weekly newsletter

    You will get instant access to the documentary “TRULY HEAL from CANCER” and our Functional Medicine Training Videos

    You can unsubscribe at any time.

    By signing up to the TRULY HEAL academy you confirm to have read and accepted the disclaimer

    Already have an Account?

    Lost your password?

    Sign in with Social Media

    Register your FREE account

    • Type your password.

    contact us

    Contact us with your preferred method. Calls are redirected to Qld Australia.  
    If we are not answering leave a message so we can call you back.

    TRULY HEAL Pty. Ltd.

    Sunshine Coast Noosaville Qld 4566 Australia

    INTERNET:  www.trulyheal.com       
    EMAIL:   contact@trulyheal.com 
       
    TOOL FREE CALL

    Australia   1 800 719 673
    USA & Canada    1 800 810 4796
     
    Calls are redirected to Australia. Please leave a message so we can call you back.   

    SKYPE:  deborah-freudenmann
    WHATSAPP    +61 499651419
     

    ABN:   32 621 367 557
    ACN:   621 367 557