Vitamin D

Vitamin D is sometime referred to as a hormone or prehormone because it is something that our own bodies make. It is actually produced in our liver.
Some ask then:
"If we make our own Vitamin D in our bodies, why then should I take a supplement?"

Vitamin D indeed is made in our bodies but we need enough sun to transform that vitamin D into a usable source.

With the Skin Cancer scare of today, a lot of people avoid the sun or use sun screen and may not be getting enough sun to transform the vitamin D into a usable form.

With added toxins such as pesticides etc in our foods and environment... it has been a question if this too prevents us from processing and converting our body made vitamin D properly.

Certain prescription drugs that you take can deplete your vitamin D as well:
Antacids/ulcer medication
Anticonvulsants
anti inflammatories
Weight loss drugs


So what do we do?

We take supplements.

Today Vitamin D deficiency diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia are rare, but I fear that such diseases my reappear due to the Vitamin D deficiency issues we have today.
If you are affraid of being deficient then there is a blood test called Vitamin D, 25 hydroxy that can give a good reading on your deficiency.

What are the signs and symptons of Vitamin D deficiency?:
fatigue
muscle and joint ache and pains
lack of bone strength and density

Why else it may be important to test my Vit. D level?:

Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium (deficiency leads to osteoprosis)
Vitamin D has many anticancer properties (especially against breast and colon cancer)
Vitamin D may also have a relationship with estrogen and magnesium levels

Will just any ol' Vitamin D supplement work?
This is complicated for me to answer, a would suggest talking with your physician to FIRST see if you are deficient because TOO MUCH vitamin D can cause toxicity and can cause increased blood concentration of calcium and deposit calcium into internal organs. In Fact Kidney stones would be a result of too Vitamin D toxicity.

I would encourage anyone and everyone to be tested, your physician should have any problem with your request to a Vitamin D, 25 hydroxy test being requested by thier patient.

If the test comes back deficient than there should be follow up tests like Vitamin D 1,25. However some people with High Vitamin D 25 hydroxy are extremely low in Vitamin D 1,25. For instance this may be a conversion problem related to how well your liver and kidneys convert Vitamin D. Since it is complicated it is important to discuss this with your physician so that you fully understand.

You can also get Vitamin D from egg yolks, butter and dark green leafy vegetables, If you are like me.. I don't believe that I eat enough of those and since I do have a vitamin D deficiency (just found out yesterday) then I will supplement.

There are many forms of Vitamin D and knowing which ones and why you may need them may be tricky and confusing.
Vitamin D2
Vitamin D3
25 OH D2
25 OH D3
1,25-(OH)2D3
1,25-(OH)2D2

Some of these are more potent than others, get with your doctors.. do research, be proactive in your health, it is your body and your business and it is empowering when you are knowledgable on how to care for you body and understand what the doctor is actually saying.