There is a vast amount of research showing the health benefits of vitamin D. It’s absolutely critical for calcium absorption and maintenance. Osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer (especially colon), and autoimmune diseases have been linked to low vitamin D levels. In general the reports you see on deficiency usually range between 30% and 80% of the population. Since these are almost always conservative organizations and report on minimum rather than optimal levels, you can be sure the vast majority of the population is not getting the optimum amount of vitamin D and therefore are deficient.
There is strong and increasing evidence that high levels of vitamin D play a central role in the health of the aging brain. It’s unlikely that it helps old brains but not young brains, so take it even if you are a teenager. I recommend 2,000 IU of D3 every day in the morning. Take a walk or otherwise get some sunshine every day as well. It up-regulates the production of vitamin D in the skin and probably has tons of other benefits we don’t know about yet. We evolved in the sun so I doubt it is as harmful as many people want us to believe.
The Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry reports:
A study of over 3,000 European men aged 40-79 found those with high vitamin D levels performed better on memory and information processing tests.
It follows research published in January which suggested that high levels of vitamin D can help stave off the mental decline that can affect people in old age.
Men with high vitamin D levels performed best, with those who had the lowest levels – 35 nmol/litre or under – registering poor scores.
Do you need any better reason to take a supplement and get some sunshine?
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Vitamin D influences the expression of more than 2,000 genes which is more than 10% of our genome! Needless to say … get out and get some sun!
Dr. Cannell from the Vitamin D Council actually recommends 5,000 IU per day for people who aren’t getting regular sun exposure. Even more if there’s a deficiency. However, I’ve also read arguments that excess of 2,400 IU can cause problems. The best solution is to keep it simple and get enough sun.
.-= Vin – NaturalBias´s last blog ..The Link Between Gluten and Modern Disease =-.