vitamin D?

[imperfectangelrn]

I have noticed alot of the members here take Vitamin D supplements. Can someone tell me why/what it helps and how much the suggested amount to take is. Thanks

[sweetsunshine72]

Hi Imperfectangelrn!

Scientists are discovering more and more how vital Vit. D is to the body - and it's not just about bone health! Vit. D has been connected to: osteoporosis, depression, heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, parathyroid problems, immune function — even weight loss. What's really scary is that around 85% of North Americans have a serious deficiency! Here's a great article that goes into detail about it: http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/vitamind.aspx

Hope this helps answer your question! :)

[amazon rainforest animals]

Vitamin D is best known as the sunshine vitamin. Ultraviolet light falling on the skin stimulates the production of this vitamin and hormone. Many people get their entire supply of vitamin D from sunlight.

[curlpearl]

a registered nutritionist told me that a vit D deficiency may be linked to PCOS! he urged me to go for testing and---my D levels were way too low

[aloysiuscarl]

I think in general, vitamin D deficiency is being linked to more things recently. It definitely seems to be a good idea to take a supplement, since most of us don't get the necessary amount, especially during winter months. Vitamin D is critical, emphasis on critical for cellular functions, it's one of the most important single supplement you can take. If you don't get enough sun exposure or you typically find yourself in doors, maybe you should think about supplementing D..

[humanbeingblog]

I take 10,000 IU daily because I learned about 3 years ago that I had a chronic deficiency. Vit D is also a hormone, so it makes sense to me that if you've got a whole-body hormone imbalance then you may also be deficient in Vit D.

My naturopath has studies that show it's better to take a continuous dose (ie 10,000 IU daily) then to do 2 big doses a week.

Since I've been taking this dose, my seasonal depression has improved by about 50%, my IBS cleared up, I stopped getting leg cramps, and I have had only one virus--a cold, which I kicked by tripling my dose for 3 days. Vit D plays a huge role in your immune system health. Optimum range for most people is 50-80 mg/nl. When I first was tested, mine was 11! It's taken 3 years to bring it up to 59. I'm aiming for 80 to help with the depression & anxiety.