Finally in the year 2010 there is an ongoing dialogue between the
masses in regards to vitamin D. Unfortunately, what is lacking in this
conversation is a clear concise message as to the optimal dosage for those
living north of the 43rd parallel. Scientists, researchers, doctors
and Health Canada are all over the board when it comes to a standard intake of
vitamin D. With doses ranging from 400 to 2,000 IU, it is no wonder that
nutritionists (designated ROHPs) are watching their clients jaws drop to the
floor with recommendations of anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 IU daily for adults
during the winter months.
Proclaimed the sunshine
vitamin, its role includes vitamin action and also that of a hormone because
sunlight on the skin can be converted into D3 by the body. D3 is the most
active form and is acknowledged to be the natural form of vitamin D. This fat
soluble vitamin has many required and necessary uses and has protective and
preventative qualities. Specifically,
vitamin D is crucial in activating immune defences, hence the importance for
usage in colder climates.
The immune system is akin
to an army with soldiers and platoon leaders, captains and majors, lieutenants
and generals all working together to stop the enemy. When a bacteria or a virus
invade, a specific immune system cell (T cell) needs to be activated and
triggered from powerless into an active ‘killer’ cell. This triggering needs sufficient vitamin D in order to fight
off infection.
What is fascinating is
that sitting on these T cells are antennas if you will, which sends out a
Mayday, searching for vitamin D. If these vitamin D receptors are not filled
due to low values of vitamin D in the blood then the army does not even begin
to mobilize.
So what do you do? Consider
that 10 to 15 minutes in the sun around noon in the summer months leads to the
production of 10,000 IU of vitamin D. Now consider why the standard set dosage
is only 1,000 IU for winter months? Dr. John Cannell, head of the Vitamin D
council in the United States, “is concerned that people aren’t getting enough
of the vitamin, especially when they are advised to avoid the mid day
sun.” This doctor is personally taking
5,000 IU of vitamin D daily during winter months.
Fish, liver, egg yolk, shrimp and dried shitake mushrooms, are the only
whole foods or naturally rich foods that contain vitamin D, all other vitamin D
containing foods such as milk are fortified with vitamin D2, the synthetic form
of vitamin D.
Ask your doctor to check
vitamin D levels (25(OH)D) and arm yourself with the information that levels
should be between 40-80- ng/ml for general health, 55 being optimal. Check with
a nutritionist for optimum or therapeutic levels for more serious diseases as
well as to make sure other vitamins are in balance with vitamin D intake. If
suffering from chronic renal failure, check with a doctor for dosage and come
up with a plan that is appropriate for the patient. Interference with the
absorption of this vitamin can range from heredity issues to intestinal
disorders to liver or gallbladder impairment, certain drugs, steroid hormones
and even antacids.
*A recent publication updating vitamin D guidelines
requested by the Canadian and U.S governments concluded that North Americans
are getting enough vitamin D. A
committee brought together by an “independent, non-profit organization that
works outside the government...”, has stated such even when others are
reporting vitamin D deficiencies. It is
no secret that big pharmaceutical companies have an incestuous relationship
with government agencies, (just look what happened with the Great Swine Flu
Caper of 2009). So, the question is can
we really trust a government study?
January’s blog will show that this committee focused
solely on bone health disregarding thousands of studies which demonstrated the
many health benefits of higher vitamin D values.
Yvette Rochelle Pritchard
Yvette Rochelle Nutrition
Holistic Nutritionist, CNP, NNCP
416.822.4600
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