Several recent research studies indicate that Vitamin D deficiency is extremely widespread. It has long been known that Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption to build strong bones. But new studies link deficiency with Seasonal Affective Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Crohn's, Rheumatoid Arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, Psoriasis, Diabetes Mellitus, Pancreatitis, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Park-inson's, Schizophrenia, and chronic pain and cancer of the colon, breast, ovaries, prostate, cervix and bladder.

Technically Vitamin D is not a vitamin at all, but a naturally occurring building block for an important steroid hormone used by the body for maintenance, repair and endocrine function (endocrine glands secrete hormones into the blood stream). This hormone targets over 200 human genes in many different tissues. No wonder this substance seems to reduce the risk of so many ailments when kept at proper levels in the body.

What are proper levels? First we must measure the right kind of vitamin D. That is 25 (OH) D. Blood serum levels for a healthy person should be between 40 and 70 ng/ml. If someone is affected by any of the conditions mentioned above, they should maintain the high end of this range. Levels can be determined by blood tests.

What are vitamin D sources? About 90% of the average person’s intake comes from sunlight. The rest comes from food sources like oily fish, vitamin D enriched foods such as milk and orange juice and vitamin supplements. Things that affect sunlight exposure, and the skin’s production of vitamin D, include latitude, season of the year, time of day, air pollution, cloud cover, skin color, use of sunblock, age, and area of skin exposed. When the sun is low, ozone, clouds and air pollution deflect the sun’s radiation and reduces the skin’s production. This effect results in total reduction during winter months at latitudes above 35 ( South Tennessee) and severe cutbacks anytime skies are cloudy or polluted. Those who avoid sunlight at any latitude are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency at any time of the year. Dark skinned people, the elderly and the obese face added risk because of lesser ability to absorb sunlight and convert it to vitamin D for use in the body. Sunblock of SPF 18 or higher decreases vitamin D synthesis by 97.5%. Ten to 15 minutes of sun exposure without sunblock per week makes enough vitamin D for most people with no risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen is recommended for periods longer than 15 minutes during peak hours in summer months. Vitamin D toxicity has never been reported from sunlight but is possible with the use of supplements. Since fortified foods (including milk) contain inadequate levels to prevent deficiency during winter, supplements may be necessary for many people. Toxicity, although rare, can present health problems.

What is considered a safe dose? First of all, vitamin D3 (cholacalciferol) is preferred over D2 (ergocqlciferol) as it generates a 70% higher blood level at equal doses. In general the more a person weighs, the more vitamin D required. Since body fat absorbs vitamin D, the obese need even more. In Canadian studies, patients receiving 4000 IU/day produced 25(OH) D levels averaging 44 ng/ml with no side effects other than improved mood. Healthy adult men use up to 5,000 IU/day. Dark skinned people, large, obese, or older people need higher doses than fair skinned, small, thin, or young folks. Some drugs may lower 25(OH) levels while others may raise levels. More research is needed for drug interactions, so patients on medications need their levels monitored if taking more than 2,000IU/day .The Food and Nutrition Board recommends doses of up to 2,000 IU/day for children over 1 year of age. Toddlers and young children who don't get regular sun exposure should take 1,000- 2,000 IU/day year round. Of course anyone who gets 10-15 minute of full body, summer, noon-day sun or artificial UVB radiation (tanning bed) once or twice a week should get all the vitamin D they need. Sunburn should be avoided to reduce the risk of Melanoma. Regular UV exposure ages the skin and increases the risk of all skin cancers, so remember to use sunblock for exposure for longer than 15 minutes. Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should have 25(OH) D levels checked every three months and be supplemented with D3 to bring levels above 40 mg/ml. They may need up to 5,000 IU/day. Breast feeding mothers require up to 7,000 IU/day to assure their milk is rich in vitamin D. Infants may require supplements during and after weaning.

Although more research needs to be done, vitamin D therapy is very promising in addition to conventional treatment for the conditions mentioned above. Just remember , although rare, toxicity is a possibility. Moderate to severe cases of hypercalcenia should avoid vitamin D therapy. Others should work with a doctor knowledgeable in vitamin D therapy for doses above 1,000 IU/day. Although the government Recommended Daily Allowance is only 400 IU/day, keep in mind the RDA values for most vitamins and minerals is based on 50 year old science and are only adequate to prevent the more obvious conditions of deficiency known at the time. The statistics in this article were gathered from studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition to name a few.

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