Here at The Pharmary Rx, we go above and beyond to continue to educate ourselves on the best measures for our patients health. That is why we recommend implementing certain vitamins into your diet. Taking vitamins such as Vitamin D (like Metagenics Vitamin D3 5000 available at The Pharmary Rx) has been proven to assist in regulating hormones, especially when taken in conjunction with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Below we’ve provided some facts about Vitamin D.
What is Vitamin D?
- VITAMIN D IS A FAT SOLUBLE VITAMIN THAT ACTS AS A HORMONE; REGULATING SEVERAL PROCESSES WITHIN THE BODY.
- IT EXISTS IN TWO FORMS: VITAMIN D2 AND VITAMIN D3.
Sources Of Vitamin D:
- TYPICALLY, THE TWO MAIN SOURCES OF VITAMIN D ARE EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND DIET.
- VITAMIN D IS FOUND NATURALLY IN ANIMAL SOURCES SUCH AS: BEEF LIVER, AND OIL-RICH FISH SUCH AS SALMON, MACKEREL, SARDINES AND HERRING.
- VITAMIN D2 IS NOT MADE BY HUMANS AND IS MAINLY MANUFACTURED BY SOME PLANTS THAT ARE ADDED TO FORTIFIED FOODS.
Fun fact: While not a Vitamin D rich food naturally, Mushrooms that are exposed to sunlight manufacture Vitamin D2 and provide that source if consumed by humans.
Causes Of Vitamin D Deficiency:
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IS DEFINED AS 25(OH)D LEVELS BELOW 20 NG/ML (50 NMOL/L).
Some causes of Vitamin D deficiency include:
- INADEQUATE EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT.
- PEOPLE WHO STAY MOSTLY INDOORS.
- INADEQUATE INTAKE OF VITAMIN D.
- MALABSORPTION OF FAT.
- WINTER SEASON AND LIVING IN COLDER CLIMATES.
- SUNSCREEN APPLICATION.
Disclaimer: The Pharmary Rx advises wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to prevent sun damage and risk of certain cancers. While sunscreen application may cause decrease in Vitamin D absorption, we recommend a Vitamin D supplement in conjunction with sunscreen application to combat this risk.
Who’s At Risk?
- SENIOR CITIZENS.
- BREASTFEEDING INFANTS. (VITAMIN D IS NOT FOUND IN HIGH CONCENTRATION IN BREAST MILK WHEREAS FORMULA IS MANUFACTURED WITH ADDED VITAMIN D.)
- PEOPLE WITH DARKER COMPLECTIONS.
- PEOPLE WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL AILMENTS SUCH AS CROHN’S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS.
- PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERED OBESE.
- PEOPLE WHO HAVE UNDERGONE GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY.
- PEOPLE WITH FAT MALABSORPTION.
Clinical Benefits Of Vitamin D:
- ASSISTS IN PREVENTING HAIR LOSS.
- SUPPORTS IMMUNE SYSTEM, IMPROVES ENERGY, AND PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS BALANCE.
- ACTS AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT AND REDUCES THE RISK OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.
- LOWERS RISK OF CERTAIN COLON AND BREAST CANCERS
- PROTECTIVE EFFECT ON THE HEART AND REDUCED RISK OF HEART DISEASES
- REDUCED RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
- IT IS THEORIZED THAT VITAMIN D MAY INCREASE MUSCLE STRENGTH AND PREVENT FALLS.
How Is Vitamin D Measured?
SERUM CIRCULATING 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVEL SHOULD BE MEASURED TO EVALUATE VITAMIN D STATUS IN THE BODY.
RECOMMENDED DIETARY INTAKE FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE AT RISK OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY:
INFANTS (0-1 YEAR) – 1000 IU/DAY
CHILDREN (1 YEAR AND OLDER) – 1000 IU/DAY
ADULTS (19-50 YEARS) – 1500-2000 IU/DAY
ELDERLY (50-70 YEARS AND 70+) – 1500-2000 IU/DAY
RECOMMENDED DIETARY INTAKE FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE DEFICIENT:
INFANTS (0-1 YEAR) – 2000 IU/DAY FOR 6 WEEKS
CHILDREN (1 YEAR AND OLDER) – 2000 IU/DAY FOR 6 WEEKS
ADULTS (19-50 YEARS) – 6000-10000 IU/DAY FOR 6 WEEKS
ELDERLY (50-70 YEARS AND 70+) – 6000-10000 IU/DAY FOR 6 WEEKS