Vitamin D Deficiency

There’s a common misconception that Vitamin D is just a vitamin, but it’s actually a hormone! Surprise, right? And it’s an incredibly important one. Without Vitamin D, our bodies cannot function properly, and we become extremely unwell.

So where do you find Vitamin D? It’s in the following foods:

• Fish liver oils (Cod liver oil)

• Vegetable oils (flaxseed oil, olive oil, etc.)

• Fatty saltwater fish (sardines, pilchards, halibut, salmon, tuna)

• Liver

• Oatmeal

• Sweet potatoes

• Dairy products (full cream only)

• Eggs

But mostly, Vitamin D is produced in your body when sunlight hits your skin. However, for this process to work properly, a few things need to be in good working order:

• A healthy liver (which is harder to maintain in today’s world of processed foods and preservatives)

• A good metabolism

• Healthy kidneys

• No intestinal disorders or gallbladder problems (which can interfere with Vitamin D intake)

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), antacids (like Rennies or Gaviscon), and steroids (like cortisone) interfere with Vitamin D absorption

• Diuretics disturb the body’s calcium/Vitamin D balance

This makes you wonder just how many people are actually getting enough Vitamin D in their bodies, right?

What Does Vitamin D Do for the Body?

The answer is everything. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as both a vitamin and a hormone. It plays a crucial role in the following:

• Absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus

• Growth and development of bones and teeth (especially important for children, but also adults)

• Protecting against muscle weakness

• Regulating heart rate and heartbeat

It helps prevent and treat various diseases, including:

• Breast and colon cancer

• Osteoporosis

• Osteoarthritis

• Hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency)

• Weakened or overactive immune systems (including autoimmune diseases)

• Thyroid and hormonal imbalances

• Normal blood clotting

How Vitamin D Works

Vitamin D3 works closely with the Parathyroid Glands, which are part of the Endocrine System. The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called Calcitonin, which regulates and distributes calcium throughout the body. If Vitamin D levels are low, the parathyroid glands cannot regulate calcium properly, which leads to conditions like osteoporosis.

Diseases Caused by Low Vitamin D

When Vitamin D levels are low, it can contribute to a variety of health issues:

• Rickets

• Osteomalacia

• Osteoporosis

• Osteoarthritis

• Periodontal disease (teeth and gums)

• Burning sensation in mouth and throat

• Insomnia

• Visual problems

• Thyroid problems

• Weight gain

• Insulin resistance and Type 1 diabetes

• High blood pressure and heart disease

• Cholesterol issues

• Infertility

• Bone pain

• Colon problems

• Cancers (breast, prostate, colon, uterus, etc.)

• Weakness in body, muscles, and bones

• Hair loss

• Preeclampsia in pregnant women

• Stroke

• Lupus, arthritis, rheumatism

• Metabolic issues

• Prostate and thyroid inflammation

• Falls in elderly

• Joint replacements (knee, hip)

• Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, and senility

• Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD, mood swings

• Epilepsy

• Tumors

• Multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy

• Migraine headaches

• Asthma

Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy

Pregnant women require more Vitamin D, and deficiency during pregnancy can result in various health problems for their offspring, such as:

• Low birth weight

• Impaired teeth development

• Impaired bone development

• Type 1 Diabetes

• Multiple Sclerosis

Vitamin D deficiency can also cause:

• PMS, menstruation problems, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Skin conditions (urticaria, psoriasis, eczema, rashes, sensitivity to the sun, pigmentation, acne, boils, etc.)

A happy heart is good medicine.

Ensure you’re getting the right amount of Vitamin D to maintain your health, vitality, and well-being. Let me know if you need advice on increasing your Vitamin D levels!