New Study: Could Vitamin D Fight Crohn's Disease?

Once again, vitamin D is being listed as able to combat yet another disorder. Is it really true that Vitamin D can prevent Crohn's Disease, or is it just a bunch of hype to scare you into buying supplements? There is certainly motivation on the side of the nutrition companies, since they stand to make a mint on the entire country grabbing bottles of supplements. So can the doctors really be trusted to do this research. Since we all know how greedy the medical profession is, I think this is a viable option, but not all of the medical research that goes on is bogus. There may be a little truth to this study. Even if the study is wrong, can it really hurt you to get outside and be active? Is it that hard to take a chewable vitamin everyday? OK, I will admit that I seldom remember my vitamins in the morning, but that is no excuse for you, especially since I have now claimed it and anyone to use that excuse owes me a royalty.

Several years back medical professionals started looking into vitamin D. Not surprisingly, they found it to be healthy for you. It is this reason that it is now added to all the milk that you drink. This had to happen since more than half of America is comprised of a new lazy, vampiric, race that is addicted to the internet and cable (or satellite) and refuses to go outside. Since you can receive a large amount of your daily dose of Vitamin D by being in the sunlight for several hours, this was not needed in the past. Thanks to the information age, we are all now stuck indoors and need someone to force feed us nutrients through other supplements. It was during this same time that doctors and scientist discovered that vitamin D can prevent several problems and ailments. From the brain to the bowels, the list is now at 33 different disorders, defects, and ailments that this wonder drug can work wonders on. The newest addition to this list is Crohn's disease. The big question is; how do we know that this research is true like the other claims that vitamin D has?

Current research has shown a link to vitamin D deficiency in most Crohn's disease patients. This can either be a coincidence or a direct correlation. The fact that it is true can really go either way. Since Crohn's is considered to be a hereditary ailment, it is highly unlikely that it can be completely prevented with a daily vitamin and an hour of exercise. This may prevent you from contracting Crohn's and passing it to future family members, but it is not very likely going to prevent them from happening if you have a family history. Vitamin D may be able to prolong the disorder, but it may take much more than vitamins alone to completely ward off this painful ailment.

There have been many studies in the past that have made similar claims with other vitamins and supplements. Many of these claims have been proven wrong. As far back as the 1800's, doctors have been discovering the next miracle drug. Back then it was in the form of tonics like laudanum (an opium based tonic) to cocaine in Coca-Cola. Right now the big movement is vitamin supplements. Vitamin D is one of these supplements and is currently being linked to all sorts of ailments. Just like opium and omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D may be found to be a placebo.

The fact that vitamin D is healthy for you and you need it to survive, I am NOT making the statement that you should stay away from vitamin D. The only thing that I am saying is that you should not depend on vitamins to keep you healthy, especially when it comes to genetic problems. By all means, you should take a daily vitamin and that vitamin needs to contain vitamin D and suit your lifestyle. This should not be the only thing that you do for your health though. There are other factors that are involved that can likely be traced to the same deficiencies.

The fact that many people with a vitamin D deficiency lead a very sedentary life brings little surprise to the fact that it has been linked to Crohn's disease. A sedentary person is more likely to get this problem than someone who is active and healthy. To be active and healthy, you need to leave your home daily. This will usually expose you to sunlight, which in turn, provides your body with vitamin D. This is like saying, "If you eat five pounds of pure lard daily, you may have a higher risk of heart attack." This is a no brainer. There are several connections you can make to all sorts of disorders. Why not state that vitamin D deficiency may cause obesity, laziness, or other obvious problems?

Vitamin D may or may not have an effect on Crohn's disease. There is one thing that is certain; a healthy active lifestyle, that includes plenty of exercise and a balanced diet, will greatly reduce the risk of many more diseases, ailments, or other health issues. That is what it really boils down to. Find the supplement that is right for your lifestyle, and stay active. That is all real health takes. So, until they figure out whether vitamin D is good or not, just stay active and eat healthy.

Sources:

Vitamin D Shows Promise, but Research Still Lagging

Vitamin D Fights Crohn's Disease