Chances Are Very High That You're Vitamin D Deficient!

Almost 8 out of 10 people are vitamin D deficient. Current research indicate that vitamin D deficiency plays a role in SEVENTEEN different varieties of cancer! That’s not to mention a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, autoimmune disease, birth defects and periodontal disease.

Vitamin D deficiency  has been linked to:

Depression, Weight gain, Obesity, Fatigue, Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, Reduced Immune System, Neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease, Breast cancer, Colon Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease, Hypertension and YES, MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN!!!

What are signs of vitamin D deficiency? 1) Muscle aches and pains– it’s believed muscles are robbed of the nutrient’s needed to maintain other vital functions 2) Feeling weak– muscle fatigue and weakness 3) Weak bones– vitamin D is required for calcium absorption to prevent osteoporosis, osteopenia or fractures 4) Painful joints– weak bones, muscles and joints creates pain 5) Excessive fatigue– your body can’t create sufficient energy 6) Depression– steroid like activity is believed to play a role with serotonin our “happiness hormone” 7) Anxiety– plays a large role with our mood 8) Prone to illness– ear infections, sore throats, colds, flu even chronic illnesses occurs with a weakened immune system 9) Delayed Healing– skin is the bodies largest organ and requires vitamin D for proper health 10) Digestive problems– pain in the stomach, gas, changes in stool or irritable bowel 11) Sweating more than normal– the body is working harder and is less productive, creating a slight fever

Who is at risk?

EVERYONE!! Its estimated 75-85% of Americans are vitamin D deficient.

That being said, who is at the highest risk?

Older adults, dark skinned individuals, breastfeed infants, those with minimal sun exposure and people with the following conditions; Crohn’s, celiac, obesity, osteoporosis, kidney disease, liver disease, lymphoma, heart disease and parathyroid issues.

Having your Vitamin D level tested is as simple blood spot test that can be done in a matter of minutes, and at $120 is relatively inexpensive. The treatment most often is a professional grade Vitamin D3 supplement that’s around $20. Treatment is SAFE AND INEXPENSIVE, don’t but this off. This is a simple solution to resolve MANY problems or potential problems or illnesses.

Interactions

Possible interactions include:

• Aluminum. Taking vitamin D and aluminum-containing phosphate binders long term might cause harmful levels of aluminum in people with kidney failure.
• Anticonvulsants. The anticonvulsants phenobarbital and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) increase the breakdown of vitamin D and reduce calcium absorption.
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor). Taking vitamin D might affect the way your body processes this cholesterol drug.
• Calcipotriene (Dovonex). Don’t take vitamin D with this psoriasis drug. The combination might increase the risk of too much calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).
• Cholestyramine (Prevalite). Taking this weight-loss drug can reduce your absorption of vitamin D.
• Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates. Use vitamin D cautiously if you’re taking drugs processed by these enzymes.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin). Avoid taking high doses of vitamin D with this heart medication. High doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, which increases the risk of fatal heart problems with digoxin.
• Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac). Avoid taking high doses of vitamin D with this blood pressure drug. High doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, which might reduce the drug’s effectiveness.
• Orlistat (Xenical, Alli). Taking this weight-loss drug can reduce your absorption of vitamin D.
• Thiazide diuretics. These blood pressure drugs might decrease urinary calcium excretion. This could lead to hypercalcemia if you are taking vitamin D.
• Steroids. Taking steroid mediations such as prednisone can reduce calcium absorption and impair your body’s processing of vitamin D.
• Stimulant laxatives. Long-term use of high doses of stimulant laxatives can reduce vitamin D and calcium absorption.
• Verapamil (Verelan, Calan). Avoid taking high doses of vitamin D with this blood pressure drug. High doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, which might reduce the drug’s effectiveness.

These possible interactions are all the more reason to be tested and determine your vitamin D levels!

Call us at (801) 523-2582 to schedule an appointment to get you vitamin D level tested.

Citation https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamins/vitamin-d/ Tovey, A. & Cannell, JJ. Are we currently amid a vitamin D deficiency pandemic? The Vitamin D Council Blog & Newsletter, 2016. Hollick MF, Chen TC. Vitamin D deficiency a worldwide problem with health consequences. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:10805–68. [PubMed] Iqbal R, Khan A. Possible causes of vitamin D deficiency. J Pak Med Asso. 2010;60(1):1–2. [PubMed]

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