Health Made Easier

4.16

This past week I had a wellness check up. Not only is this a great yearly practice, it also saves us money on our insurance premiums. And it gives me a chance to mentally check in on how my health is really doing. My blood test numbers are still good, and I'm at a great weight, etc, but one thing I had overlooked was getting enough vitamin D. While I had taken a supplement years ago, it had slipped off my radar, because I thought I was getting plenty in my multi-vitamin. Turns out, that wasn't even close.

Health benefits of Vitamin D have been known for decades, but it's only in the last 15-20 years that it has been highlighted as a significant factor in preventing disease and relieving common maladies. The great thing about vitamin D is that our skin naturally makes and metabolizes it through sun exposure. But a common problem is that we don't get enough sun to make a difference...

Vitamin D is fundamental to calcium absorption for healthy bones and teeth, and that's why milk and other beverages have been fortified with vitamin D for a long time. More recent research is showing that appropriate blood levels of vitamin D help with the prevention of certain cancers, correction of some autoimmune diseases like arthritis, diabetes and MS, and offer stronger immune response to the flu. Other benefits are promoting a healthy heart, increasing muscle strength, fighting depression and relieving common aches and pains (all of which can show up in adults who are vitamin D deficient). All this from getting out in the sun! That's health made easy.

Because most adults don't get as much sun as they need for adequate vitamin D, it makes sense to take a vitamin D supplement. Current recommendation for dosages are higher than they used to be. My doctor said that vitamin D levels are so chronically low in Americans that they are just recommending adults take 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day. Check with your own doctor to get a suggested dosage for you.

Sometimes all it takes in a simple reminder of a healthy fundamental. Check in with your doctor about the right level of vitamin D for you, and benefit from this vitamin that makes wellness a bit easier.

By the Way

Check out these articles on vitamin D, it's benefits and some suggestions on dosages:
WebMD review of new vitamin D guidelines
Dr. Joseph Mecola and Dr. Michael Holick review the new approach to vitamin D