Since COVID-19 has emerged and has decimated the world, I thought this a good time to have a lengthy conversation about Vitamin D.
As you know there are water soluble vitamins like vitamin B and C, and there are fat soluble vitamins like vitamin D. Fat soluble means that the vitamin can be stored in fat. Vitamin D has to undergo two enzymatic reactions to become active. One takes place in the liver and the other in the kidney. The active form of Vitamin D is 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D.
Vitamin D has beneficial effects in the absorption of phosphorous and calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, vitamin D has positive effects on immune function, enhances the secretion and action of insulin, cell growth and neuromuscular function.
VITAMIN D MAY BE OF ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING DISEASES
- COVID-19
- Flu
- Hepatitis C
- Critical Illnesses
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Fatigue
- Cancer(s)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Systemic Lupus
- Muscle aches and pains
- Osteoporosis
During the aging process, vitamin D may become deficient. Low or deficient levels of vitamin D leads to softening of bones muscle weakness and bone pain. Additional symptoms patients may complain of are tension type headaches, fatigue and even lower back pain.
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY RISK FACTORS
- Areas of high pollution
- patients with dark skin
- avoiding sunlight
- obesity
- advancing age
- poor or malabsorption syndromes int he gastrointestinal tract such as crohn’s disease or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
DRUGS THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY DEPLETE VITAMIN D
anticonvulsants, statin drugs, cardiac drugs, steroids, aromatmase inhibitors specifically for muscle skeletal symptoms.
DOSAGE OF VITAMIN D
Optimal dosage is 800 -1200 IU/day to prevent falls and fractures. However, performing blood work to evaluate is mandatory. There are many food sources you can get vitamin D from as well, such as: fish, milk, orange juice, and high quality breakfast foods.