DOWNLOAD REPORT: Drugs That Rob Your Body of Vitamin D

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. It is formed in the body by the action of the sun's ultraviolet rays on the skin. Vitamin D is fat-soluble vitamin requiring bile for absorption, and occurs naturally in animal foods such as salmon, sardines, egg yolks, cod liver oil and dairy. It can be acquired either by ingestion or by exposure to sunlight.

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Vitamin D was first isolated in 1930 and named calciferol. Calciferol is the most active form of Vitamin D. Vitamin D's most important role is maintaining blood levels of calcium, which it accomplishes by increasing absorption of calcium from food and reducing urinary calcium loss. Functions In The Body

• Vitamin D is important for the growth and development of bones and teeth. For this reason, vitamin D is an important growth nutrient for infants and children.
• Vitamin D is one of the primary regulators of calcium absorption, which is also important for proper bone health and development Vitamin D is considered a cost effective form of prevention for hip fractures.
• Vitamin D enhances the immune system by stimulating the activity of macrophages.
• There is new evidence to suggest that Vitamin D plays a role in neuromuscular functioning in older adults and this role may have an effect on both functional performance and the risk of falls.
  
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  Problems of Deficiencies
  Hearing Loss
  Vitamin D deficiency can cause hearing loss and supplementation can result in partial reversal.
  
  Rickets
  Rickets is the classical childhood vitamin D deficiency disease. Insufficient deposition of calcium phosphate into the bone matrix creates bones that are not strong enough to withstand the ordinary stresses and strains of weight bearing.
  
  Crohn's Disease
  Crohn's causes inflammation in the small intestine. Crohn's disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.
  
  Osteomalacia
  Osteomalcia is the adult equivalent of rickets where vitamin D deficiency causes softening of the bones which can lead to deformities. This condition occurs more frequently in the elderly. It can cause rheumatic pain, muscle weakness, and increases the likelihood of fractures of the hip and pelvis.
  
  Osteoporosis
  Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  A clinical study for RA and vitamin D was conducted over a three-month time period. The results were positive: "Therapy showed a positive effect on disease activity in 89% of the patients (45% with complete remission and 45% with a satisfactory effect). Only two patients (11%) showed no improvement, but no new symptoms occurred". [Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 1999 (17): pp. 453-456]
  
  Cancer
  Evidence of vitamin D's protective effect against cancer is impressive. For more than 50 years, documentation in medical literature suggests regular sun exposure is associated with significant reduction in death rates from certain cancers and a decrease in overall cancer death rates. For instance, some evidence points to a prostate, breast and colon cancer belt in the United States, which lies in northern latitudes under more cloud cover than other regions during the year. Rates for these cancers are two to three times higher than in sunnier regions.
  
  Vitamin D deficiency also causes muscle weakness, severe tooth decay, and phosphorus retention in the kidneys. Researchers have also hypothesized that vitamin D may protect people from multiple sclerosis, autoimmune arthritis, and juvenile diabetes.
  
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  Dietary Sources
  Vitamin D does not occur in significant amounts in many foods. It occurs in small amounts in butter, cream, egg yolks, and liver. Cod liver oil is an excellent dietary source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also needed for adequate blood levels of insulin and has been found to be an important nutrient for diabetics. However, the majority of vitamin D in the body is created during a chemical reaction that starts with sunlight exposure to the skin.
  
  How Much is Usually Taken?
  People who get plenty of sun exposure do not require supplemental vitamin D, since sunlight increases vitamin D synthesis when it strikes bare skin. Although the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 200 IU per day for adults, there is some evidence that elderly people need 800 to 1,000 IU per day for maximum effects on preserving bone density and preventing fractures. Sun-deprived people should take no less than 600 IU per day and ideally around 1,000 IU per day. Are There Any Side Effects or Interactions?
  People with hyperparathyroidism should not take vitamin D without consulting a physician. People with sarcoidosis should not supplement with vitamin D, unless a doctor has determined that their calcium levels are not elevated. Too much vitamin D taken for long periods of time may lead to headaches, weight loss, and kidney stones.
  
  Toxicities & Precautions
  Too much Vitamin D can be toxic. Excessive intake of this nutrient results in hypercalcemia which causes calcium deposits in soft tissues such as kidneys, arteries, heart, ears, and lungs. Signs of vitamin D toxicity include headache, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and constipation.
  
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