Is Vitamin D the Most Important Supplement?

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin to human survival, but it is known as a "non-essential" vitamin as consumption of the vitamin is not necessary since the body can produce it from natural sunlight. Yet, even though Vitamin D is not required to be a part of the diet for adequate supply, deficiency of Vitamin D is quite common in modern times. In fact, it is estimated that more than 58% of adults and adolescents are deficient in Vitamin D.

Deficiencies in Vitamin D can be quite serious as it is needed in order to properly metabolize and integrate calcium. Rickets and Osteomalacia are two conditions involving the bone that lead to abnormal shapes, softness, or brittleness. In addition to these diseases, Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to: birth defects, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, chronic pain, depression, auto-immune diseases, hypertension, and the three main causes of death in the United States - heart disease, a variety of cancers, and strokes! Beyond its powerful effects counteracting disease, Vitamin D is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to strengthen and support the immune system.

Derived from cholesterol, Vitamin D is a special nutrient as it serves as a precursor to other hormones. It also comes in many different forms, Vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol). As Vitamin D is activated in the body, it becomes calcitriol, a steroid that actually targets over 2000 genes (approximately 10%) of the human genome! Almost every cell in the body contains a Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) that binds to calcitriol, resulting in a direct activation or deactivation of multiple enzymes and proteins. In other words, Vitamin D is a nutrient that can have a powerful effect upon our biochemistry, physiology, and overall health.

Remember, Vitamin D can actually be manufactured in our skin via sunlight exposure. For adequate production of Vitamin D, the daily dose of sunlight is approximately 15-20 minutes to the skin of the hands and face. Many factors affect the body's ability to produce Vitamin D: season, weather conditions, geographic location, time of day, pollution, and use of sunscreen. Individuals with darker complexions of skin will require a longer duration of sunlight exposure for adequate Vitamin D production. Amazingly, once enough Vitamin D has been manufactured for proper balance, the body will shut off Vitamin D production to inhibit the possibility of overdosing. In the event that one cannot receive adequate sunlight exposure (due to lifestyle factors), one can supplement their diet with Vitamin D. The recommended amounts vary between 400 and 1000 I.U.s.

All things must be done in balance and with prudence. Attempting to increase one's levels of Vitamin D should not bring about harmful effects of sun exposure.

Vitamin D is a powerful vitamin that we all need to obtain from getting adequate and proper levels of sunlight. Of course, it is also important to maintain a healthy diet in order to have the right precursors for Vitamin D. I don't know about you... but sitting at this computer writing this article is making me feel like going out and getting some sun!

"Poor vitamin D status has been linked to increased risk of breast, prostate and colon cancers, osteoporosis and other bone disorders, Type 1 diabetes, arthritis, infertility, PMS, chronic fatigue and depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, multiple sclerosis, musculoskeletal pain, and heart disease. Ironically, the few foods that contain vitamin D are mostly items that have fallen out of favor thanks to orthodoxy's fanatical anti-fat and cholesterol campaign, such as cod liver oil, butter, whole milk, liver and egg yolks."
- Anthony Colpo, "The Great Cholesterol Con: Why Everything You've Been Told About Cholesterol, Diet, and Heart Disease is Wrong"