Just a few years ago, vitamin D was simply known as the
“bone vitamin.” Thanks to the hard work of many scientists, especially Michael
Holick, MD, a pioneer in vitamin D research, the data show that nearly every
tissue and cell type in the body has receptors for vitamin D. As a result of
this discovery, much higher doses are required for optimal functioning. This
discovery has radically changed how we understand the role of vitamin D in the
body.
Unless you
body is at optimal levels, you are opening the door to a host of disorders,
ranging from heart disease and Alzheimer’s to weak bodes and diabetes.
In fact,
even if you have normal blood sugar today, a vitamin D deficiency makes you 91%
more likely to progress to insulin resistance, or “pre-diabetes,” and it more
than doubles your risk from progressing to active, type II diabetes.
Unfortunately,
vitamin D deficiency is a global epidemic. An estimated 1 billion people do not
have adequate vitamin D levels. And 64% of Americans don’t have enough vitamin
D to keep all of their tissues operating at peak capacity.
The results
of this deficiency are catastrophic. Studies have now shown that vitamin D
deficiency is associated with increased risk of a long list of diseases that
span all systems of the body. In fact, low levels of vitamin D increase the
risk of non-Alzheimer’s dementia almost 20 times!
While
checking for vitamin D levels is still not standard care for many physicians,
you will realize from reading this article that assessing vitamin D status is
one of the most important health protecting steps you can take. Fortunately,
achieving optimal levels of vitamin D is easy, inexpensive, and highly
protective against a range of lethal diseases.
No comments:
Post a Comment