Vitamin D

Have you been hearing lots of news about vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin?  I certainly have.  Recently I made a point to ask manyof patients about it and at least half were already taking it!  Vitamin D has gotten a lot of attention in the media lately and rightly so.  Some studies have indicated that 80% of North Americans are deficient, especially those with dark skin. 

Dark skin does not appear to be as efficient in producing vitamin D.  Most of us work inside now.  In years gone by, many people were engaged in farming and other outdoor activities and received lots of sunshine.  Also, the farther north you live, the more likely you are deficient especially, in the winter.

The research is also showing us that vitamin D may be important in preventing many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, the flu, back pain, and arthritis.  In fact, a review of vitamin D research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that it's consumption lowered the risk of death from any cause!  A report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that post-menopausal women who took at least 1,100 IU of vitamin D per day had reductions in all types of cancer.

Ask us whether vitamin D supplements are appropriate in your case.  If you need a supplement, we carry a very good one from the Biotics company.  It costs only $19.00 and will last over 6 months for the average person.