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American Medicine

How are you getting your vitamin D?

There is an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in the United States.  Sun exposure increases the vitamin D levels in the body,  but that not by enough for optimal health. Today, not only are vitamin D levels low in the northern half of the country (where sun exposure is particularly reduced in the winter time – where we’re heading now), but more individuals throughout the country are avoiding sun exposure in order to prevent skin cancer and melanoma.  Many individuals take sunscreens to further reduce the risk of sunburns and sun-induced skin damage, as well as cancer.

The effect of this is that in the United States, the frequency of vitamin D deficiency has risen and is now between 40 and 75 percent.  In my medical practice it is now over 50 percent.

It is possible that vitamin D can help to prevent many diseases.  It is well-recognized that vitamin D deficiency produces bone diseases such as osteomalacia and rickets, and makes osteopenia and osteoporosis worse. These diseases can result in increased the frequency and severity of fractures which would be avoided with stronger bones.  Vitamin D therapy with oral pills (with or without calcium) is widely used for prevention of vitamin D deficiency associated bone disease and fractures.

In addition, vitamin D may have additional health benefits (reviewed in Science 2012; 337: 1476).  Asthma, stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cognitive impairment (Alzheimer’s disease), as well as cardiovascular disease and cancers (colorectal cancer and breast cancer in particular) may be increased with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D treatment may reduce infections (such as reduction in tuberculosis, first identified in 1848, and reduction in influenza, identified in 2010).

Obviously, there are many benefits to proper vitamin D therapy/supplementation, but it’s important to do your research and know what is best for your body. If you’re considering vitamin D supplements, or have any questions about it, follow these steps:

— Make certain your physician checks your vitamin D level

— If your vitamin D level is less than 30 ng/ml, ask your physician to tell you how much supplemental vitamin D to take

— Ask your physician to continue to monitor your vitamin D levels every season (four times a year) to make certain that your vitamin D levels are high enough, and adjust your vitamin D dose to be certain your level becomes normal

You may need anywhere from 400 IU of vitamin D3 per day up to 100,000 IU of vitamin D weekly to get your vitamin D level into the proper range.  But if you have had kidneys stones, discuss with your physician whether you should be taking any vitamin D.

For more information about how to discuss this and other types of disease prevention, see my new book, Surviving American Medicine.