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Have you ever noticed how much our lives revolve around the weather?  In summertime we schedule and plan as many things as we can, to do outside. Whether it be  going to the beach, golfing, BBQ’s, camping, or working in the yard or garden. It’s pretty natural when the sun is shining to gravitate outdoors. That’s a good thing because The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, and we all need an adequate level of vitamin D.  Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, it regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus in our blood.  If we are lacking in vitamin D then it affects our calcium, which in turn can cause additional problems.

Research has linked vitamin D deficiency with heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, cancer, immune disorders, depression, and diabetes.

Vitamin D Can be a huge factor in Osteoporosis. It is very common for a physician to treat osteoporosis without even checking the patients vitamin D level. It is important to have an adequate vitamin D level to get the benefits from osteoporosis treatment.
There are links between a low-level of vitamin D and MS, lupus, asthma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic aches and pains. Most patients are not educated on the link between vitamin D and these autoimmune diseases.

Vitamin D deficiency is not limited to where one person lives versus another. You can live in a sunny location and have a vitamin D deficiency as much as the person who lives in northern climates, although that person might be more prone. However,  living in a sunny location does not make you exempt from vitamin D deficiency. If a person is wearing clothing, of which I hope you do, using sunscreen, or your town or city has pollution, or you’re behind glass windows, or favor the shade, the amount of vitamin D you get is affected.  If you are obese you may also need more vitamin D.  The amount of vitamin D you get is also determined by your age, color of skin and diet.

It’s really hard to get adequate Vitamin D through eating or drinking foods with vitamin D in them, whether naturally or fortified. However making sure you are eating food with vitamin D definitely can’t hurt.  Some foods high in vitamin D are, fatty fish, like salmon, eggs, some cereals and milk, although I’m not an advocate of cow’s milk.  You would need to drink 20 cups of milk a day to get 2000 I.U of vitamin D.
Even most people’s multivitamins don’t have the Adequate amount of vitamin D, because that out dated amount, is based on the dose needed to prevent rickets.   It’s important to consult you naturopathic doctor if vitamin D supplements are necessary for you and your family.

That’s why when the seasons change to Fall and Winter, and depending on where you live, the sun doesn’t shine as much, it’s important to get your vitamin D level evaluated. We tend to stay indoors more and hibernate some. Which in turn can lead to a deficiency of vitamin D.  This time of year vitamin D is also essential to fighting colds and flu.

So how’s your level of Vitamin D?  Have you had it checked in the past year?

Make sure and seek out a naturopathic doctor to have your vitamin D level checked. He or she can advise you if a supplement is needed. Some individuals just need a supplement during the winter months.

Sources

Power of Vitamin D by Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi MD

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/06/08/dramatically-effective-new-natural-way-to-starve-cancer-and-obesity.aspx

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/02/23/vitamin-d-part-five.aspx

http://www.naturalnews.com/028357_vitamin_D_deficiency.html