Vitamin D deficiency is a condition where the blood serum levels of vitamin Ds storage form, 25(OH)D or calcidiol, are lower

than that which the body needs to properly maintain health.A deficiency in vitamin D should not be allowed to remain uncorrected for too long, even in those who are healthy. The longer the deficiency is allowed to persist, the greater the risk of serious health complications such as chronic illness, debilitation, or even early mortality. There are only two ways to correct a vitamin D deficiency: sunlight exposure or vitamin D3 supplementation. What causes vitamin D deficiency?Vitamin D deficiency occurs from lack of proper sun exposure.Humans are designed to fulfill vitamin D needs by producing it in response to exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) light from the Sun. Vitamin D deficiency occurs as a result of a lack of consistent exposure of bare skin to the Suns UVB light. The modern lifestyle Human behavior, specifically the sun avoidance of the modern lifestyle, is the predominant factor influencing the rise we see in vitamin D deficiency today.In addition, due to the physiology of vitamin D, certain members of the population are at even greater risk. Vitamin D deficiency risk factors Blacks are at greatest risk of vitamin D deficiency, due to higher skin melanin content.Insufficient UVB exposure - working and playing indoors, covering up with clothes or sunscreen when outside, residing at a high latitude.Aging - seniors are at greater risk due to lack of mobility and skin that is less responsive to UVB. Darker skin - high incidence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated conditions in Blacks is widely documented. Breastfeeding - breastfeeding will result in vitamin D deficiency in the baby if the mother fails to ensure her own levels are high enough to provide for her babys needs. When the mother is deficient, the breast-fed child will be deficient due to the low vitamin D content of the mothers breast milk. Obesity - fatsoluble vitamin D gets trapped in adipose tissue, preventing its metabolization and utilization by the body. What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency? Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency could be described as chronic pain, weak bones, frequent infections, depression, etc., but the same will not be true for everyone who is deficient. Because the possible effects of vitamin D deficiency are wide-ranging and can manifest in the body in any number of ways, there are no specific associated symptoms. Cofactorii Nutrients act in a synergetic way in the body. Absorption and metabolism of a particular nutrient will be affected, to a greater or lesser degree, by the other nutrients available to the body. This is also true with vitamin D.In order to receive the most health benefit from increased levels of vitamin D, the proper cofactors must be present in the body. Vitamin D has many cofactors, but the ones listed below are the most important. Magnesium should be considered the most important one of all. Magnesium, Vitamin K,Vitamin A, Zinc,Boron De unde iei vitamina D There are only two ways to receive vitamin D in the amounts necessary for proper health: Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and vitamin D supplementation. Diet should not be considered a satisfactory source of vitamin D. The few foods which do contain vitamin D, contain too little to be of any noticeable benefit. Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure - Sun exposure should be your method of choice for getting vitamin D. Learn about the factors which influence vitamin D production from sunlight and how to make the most of your time in the sun.Vitamin D supplementation - Information supplementing with vitamin D3. Learn why the amount recommended by the US government is not enough to receive the full health benefits of vitamin D. Suplimente Vitamin D3 supplementation is an effective alternative to UV exposure, provided adequate doses are taken. Vitamin D needs. Vitamin D from both capsules and liquid is equally effective in treating vitamin D deficiency. Much individual variation exists in response to supplemental vitamin D. The amount needed to raise and/or maintain blood serum levels for one person may not be enough for another. This is due to various factors such as age, weight, absorption, overall health, and amount of sun exposure. Recent research

has determined that genetic variants are also a factor.The only way to know for sure if a certain dosage is working for you is to have your vitamin D levels tested. Occasional monitoring of these levels will one determine what dose is right for them. Current US Government recommended amounts Adequate Intake for vitamin D represents the daily intake established by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) as sufficient to maintain bone health and normal calcium metabolism in healthy people. FNB daily Adequate Intake (AI) for vitamin D Children and adults up to the age of 70 years - 600 IU Seniors 70+ years - 800 IU Why these amounts are inadequate US Government recommended Adequate Intake for vitamin D is too low to receive many of vitamin D's benefits. The problem with current recommendations is that vitamin D influences a much wider array of physiological processes other than simply maintaining bone health and normal calcium metabolism. 3 For proper functioning, a healthy human body utilizes around 3,000-5,000 IU of vitamin D per day indicating the current recommended intakes are not high enough to raise and/or maintain the vitamin D levels necessary for proper health. 4 Vitamin D Council recommended amounts Based on the body's indicated daily vitamin D usage, Vitamin D Council recommends the following amounts of supplemental vitamin D3 per day in the absence of proper sun exposure. Due to the variable response discussed above, these are only estimated amounts. Healthy children under the age of 1 years 1,000 IU. Healthy children over the age of 1 years 1,000 IU per every 25 lbs of body weight. Healthy adults and adolescents at least 5,000 IU. Pregnant and lactating mothers - at least 6,000 IU. Additionally, children and adults with chronic health conditions such as autism, MS, cancer, heart disease, or obesity may need as much as double these amounts. Tolerable Upper Intake Level The US Governments Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin D is set at 4,000 IU per day. While this is a step in the right direction from the previous UL at 2,000 IU per day, in some situations - such as with those who are obese - it may still be too low. An upper limit this low will also result in the prevention of adequate doses from being used in studies, greatly curtailing our understanding of vitamin Ds physiological effects as well as the true extent of its treatment potential. Experts agree the Upper Limit for vitamin D should be raised to 10,000 IU per day. Current expert consensus is that the US Government UL for vitamin D is too low and that it should be raised to 10,000 IU per day. Since this is the amount one would naturally produce in their skin from sun exposure, it is considered safe. Can I take more than 10,000 IU per day? Wanting to raise vitamin D levels quickly, some people choose to supplement with amounts higher than 10,000 IU per day until target levels are achieved. When using vitamin D in these amounts, frequent monitoring of blood levels (preferably as supervised by your physician) as well as adequate magnesium intake are advised. Once blood serum levels are optimized, daily amount should be lowered to the amount necessary to sustain these levels. How much is needed will be unique to the individual, but it should be somewhere around 5,000 IU per day. Which type of vitamin D? Oil vs. powder Vitamin D3 supplements come in two forms: oil (cod liver oil-based) - fat-soluble vitamin D, includes liquid drops or gel caps.

dry powder (lanolin-based) - water-soluble vitamin D, includes capsules or tablets. As far as we know, both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamin D are equally absorbed and metabolized by the body, and are thus equally effective. D2 vs D3 Read the Vitamin D Council's full position statement on vitamin D2 vs D3 here. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the type of vitamin D the body naturally produces in the skin in response to sun exposure. Vitamin D2 is produced naturally when fungi (yeast or mushrooms) are exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun or to artificial UV light. Scientific studies have demonstrated the bioequivalence of vitamin D2 and D3 in forming 25(OH)D when daily consumption of either precursor occurs over a minimum of 6 weeks 10. There is other evidence that the body has preference to D3 over D2, showing in these studies that the body more readily uses D3 when it has both forms in the body, and that D3 is more potent than D2 for producing 25(OH)D 11. Although both D2 and D3 are effective for raising blood levels of 25(OH)D, the Vitamin D Council believes that vitamin D3, as produced in human skin, is the more natural precursor, and recommends supplementing with vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 supplements are not vegetarian and are not likely to be derived from American products. If an individual has ethical concerns over D3, D2 can be an effective replacement. How should I take my vitamin D? Both forms of vitamin D may be taken any time of day with, or without, any other food or supplement and still remain effective. If one is concerned about absorption, they may take their vitamin D at mealtime, though there is no evidence to indicate this is more effective. Most people take their vitamin D daily, yet there are some who opt to take it weekly at a higher dose. Since the body is designed to store vitamin D for future use, a weekly interval should produce the same results as daily use. 12 Mixing sun exposure and supplements It is okay to use both sun exposure and intermittent supplementation to receive one's vitamin D. Simply do not take any supplemental vitamin D on the days when proper sun exposure is received. Keep in mind that vitamin D taken orally bypasses the body's built in toxicity protection with that obtained by sun exposure. As with daily use of oral vitamin D, periodic monitoring of levels is advised. Precautions People with the following conditions should only take vitamin D with the guidance of a knowledgeable physician:primary hyperparathyroidism,sarcoidosis,granulomatous TB,some cancers Those with primary hyperparathyroidism should only use vitamin D when under the care of a knowledgeable endocrinologist. Interactions with medications. There have yet to be any documented instances of an adverse interaction of vitamin D with any medications. There are, however, medications which have been found to interfere with the bodys proper utilization of vitamin D. They are: 2 Steroids - impair vitamin D metabolism, contributing to bone loss and development of osteoporosis. Xenical, alli, Questran, LoCholest, and Prevalite - reduce vitamin D absorption.Dilantin) increases hepatic metabolism of vitamin D to inactive compounds. What is vitamin D? "I believe [vitamin D] is the number one public health advance in medicine in the last twenty years." ~ Dr. John Whitcomb, Aurora Sinai Medical Center Vitamin D is not really a vitamin, but one of the oldest prohormones, having been produced by life forms for over 750 million years. Phytoplankton, zooplankton, and most animals that are exposed to sunlight have the capacity to make vitamin D. In humans, vitamin D is critically important for the development, growth, and maintenance of a healthy body, beginning with gestation in the womb and continuing throughout the lifespan. Vitamin D's metabolic product, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol), is actually a secosteroid hormone that is the key which unlocks binding sites on the human genome. The human genome contains

more than 2,700 binding sites for calcitriol; those binding sites are near genes involved in virtually every known major disease of humans.Vitamin D is measured in International Units (IU) and is potent in small quantities - one IU is equal to only 0.000025 milligrams (mg)! Conversely, 40 IU is equal to one microgram (mcg or g). There are several forms of vitamin D: supplemental vitamin D, pharmaceutical vitamin D, and those that exist in the body what are called vitamin D's metabolites. Supplemental vitamin D ---- Supplemental vitamin D comes in two forms: Vitamin D3 cholecalciferol (pronounced kohluhkalSIFuhrawl);Vitamin D2 ergocalciferol (pronounced ergoekalSIFerole). Vitamin D3 Molecular structure of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D3 is real vitamin D, for it is the same substance as what is produced in human skin in response to sun exposure. Supplemental vitamin D3 is derived from either lanolin or cod liver oil extract and is the form of vitamin D that most effectively treats vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D2 Molecular structure of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).Vitamin D2 is derived from fungal sources by activating ergosterol with ultraviolet light. It is not naturally present in the human body and may have actions within the body different to those of vitamin D3.Although many doctors are still prescribing vitamin D2, vitamin D3 is the preferred form for treating deficiency and is what is recommended by the majority of the experts as well as the Vitamin D Council. Pharmaceutical vitamin D :Pharmaceutical vitamin D should never be used to treat vitamin D deficiency. There are also prescription forms of vitamin D, such as synthetic calcitriol and vitamin D analogs. Vitamin D analogs are synthetic compounds based upon variations of the naturally-occurring vitamin D metabolites. High dose calcitriol use has been known to increase risk of hypercalcemia. Vitamin D analogs are seen as a way to achieve the beneficial effects of calcitriol without this risk. Pharmaceutical vitamin D should never be used to treat vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D's metabolites After vitamin D is formed in the skin or taken orally, it is metabolized into two different substances within the body: 25-hydroxyvitamin D, known as calcidiol, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, known as calcitriol. Calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D) Calcidiol is a prehormone that is made in the liver. Because it is the body's main storage form of vitamin D, the amount of calcidiol available to the body is what determines vitamin D status. When someone refers to "vitamin D levels" they are referring to blood calcidiol levels. Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D3) Calcitriol is made from calcidiol, in the kidneys as well as in other organs, and is the most potent steroid hormone in the human body. Referred to as activated vitamin D, calcitriol is said by the experts to unlock a cells DNA library. Acting through the vitamin D receptors (VDR), calcitriol controls the expression of genes, activating about two-thirds of the ones it controls, suppressing the rest. Blood calcitriol levels are not good indicators of the amount of vitamin D should never be used to determine if one is vitamin D deficient.