The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency

Most people are deficient in vitamin D.

The current recommended dose of vitamin  D is 600IU daily for adults, but many experts in nutrition and functional and natural medicine say that the optimal dose ranges between 1000-4000 IU per day.

Depending on the study, Vitamin D deficiency has shown to range between 30 -75% in the general US population!

Why are so many people vitamin D deficient?

There are several reasons:

1.) The push for sunscreen.   Sunscreens with an SPF of 8 or higher block the vitamin D producing UVB rays.

2.) We can’t get enough bit D from sun if we live in Northern latitudes.  If you live above Atlanta Georgia, you can’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight from Nov – March. 

3.) You need to expose the bare skin to sun.   As soon as you start wearing long sleeve shirts and pants, you no longer can get enough.   You can’t get it through glass either.

4.) The darker the skin, the harder it is to absorb vitamin D.

5.) More than 1/3 of the US population is obese. Since vitamin D gets distributed throughout the body, obese people can’t absorb enough vitamin D through their skin to meet their increased needs.

6.) The elderly don’t absorb vitamin D as well, and thus need more.

And what are the consequences of vitamin D deficiency?

1.) Weak bones

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of Calcium in the blood and its availability for bones.   Without enough Vitamin D, your bones can become weak and fragile.

2.)  Depression

There are many studies that have shown a link between vitamin D and depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder.   I have found in working with clients that it can be one of several underlying causes of depression.

3.)   Risk of Cognitive decline

Vitamin D facilitates memory consolidation, and vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cognitive decline.

4.)   Increased risk of heart disease

An increasing number of studies show that vitamin D is linked with an increased risk of various types of heart disease and stroke.

5.)  Malfunctioning immune system

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increase in autoimmune problems as well as an increased susceptibility to infection.

6.) Diabetes

The pancreas needs enough vitamin D to produce insulin.   When you are deficient, you can’t produce enough.

7.) Cancer

Vitamin D seems to lower your risk of all types of cancers.

So how much vitamin D do you need?

You need exposure for 5-10 min from 10am-3pm, 2-3 times a week on 40% of your bare skin.   Or take between 1000-4000IU/day.

If you take vitamin D, you need to make sure you are getting enough K2 for it to work properly.  Read more about that here.

Have you ever noticed that taking vitamin D has helped you?  How?  Comment below.

Did you find these tips and resources useful?  Share it with your friends using the social media buttons below!