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Vitamin D is actually a precursor hormone rather than a true vitamin. Three forms of vitamin D occur naturally in the body: cholecalciferol, calcidiol, and calcitriol. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is made in large quantities when sunlight strikes bare skin. That’s why it’s sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin.”
Vitamin D is a Steroid Hormone Precursor There’s a new syndrome in town, known as Vitamin D Deficiency Syndrome, and it’s characterized by osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, certain cancers, depression, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain, along with low levels of vitamin D in the blood. According to the Vitamin D Council, 57% of medical inpatients in the U.S. suffer from vitamin D deficiency. It’s estimated that 58 million American children have low Vitamin D levels. In Canada, more than 20% of healthy young women are deficient in D. In spite of the recognized health benefits of vitamin D, deficiency rates have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. In a recent study, researchers at the University of California at San Diego concluded that increasing vitamin D levels could prevent 1million deaths annually around the globe. Cholecalciferol is transported to the liver, where it’s converted into calcidiol (also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D). This is the storage form of vitamin D, and what is tested for to determine vitamin D deficiency. Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) is made from calcidiol in the kidneys. It’s a potent steroid hormone with powerful anti-cancer properties. Calcitriol circulates in the blood and regulates calcium levels. Calcium levels are important for everything from bone formation to preventing heart disease. In the body, vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and helps to form and maintain strong bones. Without vitamin D, bones can become brittle, soft and thin. That’s why vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteoporosis and hip fractures. In addition to improving bone health, experts have documented the benefits of Vitamin D for reducing rates of cancer, heart disease, and many other conditions in addition to osteoporosis. cancer of the breast, prostate, colon and skindiabetes/ insulin resistanceheart diseasehigh blood pressureosteoporosisinflammationobesityarthritispre-menstrual syndromeinfertilityfatiguedepressionmemory lossParkinson’s diseasechronic painmultiple sclerosisinflammatory bowel diseaseinfluenzaautismpolycystic ovarian syndrome Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency In addition to bone health nike air max 95, vitamin D plays other roles in the body such as regulating cell growth, aiding insulin production and use and boosting immunity. Deficiencies have been linked to a number of conditions, including: So why are so many people deficient in this important compound? Ironically, it’s because of recommendations designed to protect people from things like skin cancer and obesity, conditions which actually can be avoided with sufficient levels of Vitamin D in the bloodstream. Read on Swine Flu Prevention Should Include Vitamin D Vitamin D Deficiency Vitamin D Deficiency in Children and Adolescents Sunlight is the Ideal Source of Vitamin D Vitamin D is made in the body after skin has been exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. UV light is divided into three different types, known as UV-A air max 95, UV-B and UV-C. Part of the reason for the epidemic levels of vitamin D deficiency are the fears of skin cancer. The main cause of sunburn is overexposure to UV-B cheap air max 95, a |