When Rick and I had physical exams and blood tests a month ago, the Doctor told us both that were we very deficient in Vitamin D. Who knew? We drink vitamin D enriched milk, get some sun (not as much during the winter) and I love eggs and fish (Rick doesn't). We had no idea we were deficient. The doctor gave us each prescription amounts of vitamin D to build up our reserves. We've taken the pills just once a week for two months and we'll go back at the end of this month to have our blood drawn again to see if the vitamin D levels have gone up.
New research suggests that vitamin D helps in lots of different ways, especially in heart health.
Very few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D. Therefore, most people obtain their vitamin D intake from fortified foods, such as milk, soymilk and fortified cereals. Naturally occurring vitamin D is found in the flesh of fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines) and in egg yolks.
Vitamin D insufficiency results in rickets (defective bone growth) in children and osteomalacia (soft bones) and osteoporosis (porous bones) in adults. These skeletal diseases are the result of inadequate bone mineralization or demineralization of the skeleton. Vitamin D-deficient diets are often found in those who have milk allergies, lactose intolerance or in those following a vegan diet (devoid of animal products, including milk and eggs).
Some groups may require supplemental vitamin D, particularly if they are not receiving exposure to sunlight. These include:
Infants exclusively breast-fed: Human milk contains very little vitamin D. Many infants—especially those who live in far northern latitudes—may not be exposed to sufficient sunlight.
Older adults: Older adults are more prone to vitamin D deficiency, especially those living in northern industrialized cities of the world. This is due to lack of sunlight combined with a decreased ability to synthesize vitamin D in the skin.
Dark skin and sunscreen: People with dark skin or those using topical sunscreen are at increased risk of deficiency due to a reduction in the body’s ability to produce vitamin D in the skin.
Some groups may require supplemental vitamin D, particularly if they are not receiving exposure to sunlight. These include:
Infants exclusively breast-fed: Human milk contains very little vitamin D. Many infants—especially those who live in far northern latitudes—may not be exposed to sufficient sunlight.
Older adults: Older adults are more prone to vitamin D deficiency, especially those living in northern industrialized cities of the world. This is due to lack of sunlight combined with a decreased ability to synthesize vitamin D in the skin.
Dark skin and sunscreen: People with dark skin or those using topical sunscreen are at increased risk of deficiency due to a reduction in the body’s ability to produce vitamin D in the skin.
These is also research that shows that vitamin D deficiency can lead to obesity.
So, the next time you have a physical exam, ask the Doctor to check out your vitamin D level.
