Vitamin D is more than just a vitamin. It plays a role in:
- Calcium Metabolism
- Precursor to hormones that regulate more than 1000 human genes
- Stimulation of Insulin Production
- Modulation effect of B and T lymphocytes
- Heart muscle contractibility
- Helps in the promotion of Thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion
- Improves muscle strength
During winter up to 70% of the population may suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. Those at the greatest risk of deficiency include:
- The elderly
- Dark-skinned individuals
- Healthy people who spend most of the time indoors
- Those with food allergies and sensitivities due to decreased gut absorption
- People with liver and kidney disease
- Certain medications
- People who are overweight
Vitamin D deficiency has also been implicated in the following diseases:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic Lupus erythematosus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Some forms of cancer
More and more research is emerging that point to the importance of vitamin D and the role it plays in the body. In practice Vitamin D deficiency is something that we are more routinely checking clients for and treating. I think that if you spend most of your time indoors during winter, like most of the Melbourne population, then you need to have your Vitamin D levels checked. Recommended healthy blood levels for Vitamin D is between 100 – 175nmol/L
(Cannell JJ, Hollis BW. Use of vitamin D in clinical practice. Alt Med Rev 2008;13(1):6-20).
So if you are catching cold after cold, feeling run down, tired, fatigued and have sore muscles then vitamin D deficiency is something that you should consider.