Vitamin D3-Let The Sunshine In

Vitamin D is a fat soluble substance that acts more like a hormone than a vitamin. Vitamin D is vital for many functions in our bodies, including the promotion of strong bones by assisting calcium metabolism. Current Scientific Research is discovering that low Vitamin D levels are implicated in most degenerative illnesses. Therefore, knowledgeable health practitioners are now suggesting that the Recommended Daily Intake (RDA) of Vitamin D should be raised to a higher level. Vitamin D influences a host of key biological functions vital to health and well-being.

How Is Vitamin D Produced by Sunshine? Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body after exposure to 20 min Ð

What are the Consequences of Vitamin D Deficiency? Many people develop deficiencies due to lack of sun exposure, living in cold climates, the overuse of sun block and other reasons. Research continues to accumulate showing that Vitamin D deficiency is widespread throughout the population, and that this deficiency is linked to a wide range of diseases, including metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, autoimmune illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as several kinds of cancers. One example of the many conditions that may be linked to Vitamin D deficiency is a study that was reported in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2003. Researchers evaluated the levels of Vitamin D of a group of patients who complained of non-specific muscle pains, and found that close to 100% of the study participants were deficient in Vitamin D. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, in June 2009, the results determined that over an 8 year time period, those people who had the lowest Vitamin D levels have more than twice the risk of dying from heart disease and other causes, than those who have an adequate level.

How can I find out if I have a Sufficient Vitamin D level in my body? To accurately determine your own Vitamin D status, it's a good idea to ask your doctor to order a blood test that measures your level of Vitamin D. Be sure to ask your doctor to order the test that is called 25(OH)D (25-hydroxy-vitamin D), since it is more accurate than another test that is referred to as 1,25(OH)D.

When you get the test back, review the results:

Deficiency: Less than 20 ng/mL
Insufficiency: 20-29 ng/mL
Optimum Level: 30-80 ng/mL
Possible Toxicity: Greater than 80 ng/mL

Many health practitioners recommend that if the reading is lower than 50 ng/ml, it would be useful to supplement with Vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol), even though 50 ng/ml is considered within optimum range. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that daily intake through all sources should be 200 IU's for children and adults up to age 50, 400 IU's for adults from 51-70, and 600 IU for those over 70 years old. However, new research is suggesting that these numbers should be increased. In fact, the recommended dose for children was recently raised to 400 IU's/day by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many physicians now recommend that adults increase their Vitamin D intake as well. If your numbers are low, make every effort to bring them up. You can do this by increasing your sun exposure to at least ment.

What Foods Contain Vitamin D? Foods that contain Vitamin D include fatty fish, such as salmon (wild-not farm-raised), mackerel, sardines and fortified foods such as milk, breakfast cereals and juices where the manufacturers actually add in additional Vitamin D. ItÕs very difficult to get the amount of Vitamin D the body actually needs from diet alone.

What is the Difference between Vitamin D-2 and Vitamin D-3? If you decide to use supplements to increase your levels of Vitamin D, it's important to understand the difference between products that are available. Vitamin D is available in two forms: D-2 (ergocalciferol) and D-3 (cholecalciferol). Many vegetarians prefer to use Vitamin D-2, since it is manufactured using yeast, while Vitamin D-3 is manufactured from lanolin from sheep's wool (the sheep are not killed to collect the wool, which allows Vitamin D-3 to be kosher certified!). s to increase your levels of Vitamin D, it's important to understand the difference between products that are available. Vitamin D is available in two forms: D-2 (ergocalciferol) and D-3 (cholecalciferol). Many vegetarians prefer to use Vitamin D-2, since it is manufactured using yeast, while Vitamin D-3 is manufactured from lanolin from sheep's wool (the sheep are not killed to collect the wool, which allows Vitamin D-3 to be kosher certified!). However, although both forms are useful to avoid rickets, they are actually metabolized differently in the body. New research supports the use of Vitamin D-3, since it is three times more effective than D-2 in raising serum 25 hydroxy Vitamin D concentrations, and maintaining those levels for a longer period of time.

What's special about Nature's Answer's Vitamin D-3? Nature's Answer Vitamin D-3 offers the preferred Vitamin D form of Vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol) in pure golden Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and supplies 4000 IU in 2 drops. Take one drop if you would prefer to use 2000 IUÕs per dose. Nature's Answer Vitamin D-3 is delivered in a highly absorbable liquid form, with none of the fillers, tableting agents, and other additives you will find in other brands. READ THE LABEL, and see for yourself. Nature's Answer Vitamin D-3 is Salt-free, wheat-free, corn-free, Soy-free, Yeast-free, Sugar-free, Milk-free, Preservative-free and has only the natural golden color and taste of high quality extra virgin olive oil.