Vitamin D3 has increasingly been in the limelight the past year as studies and medical experts have come forward in support of its potential health benefits. Along with reportedly decreasing the severity of chronic pain and muscle fatigue, other possible perks of “the sunshine vitamin” include reducing the risk of:
• many types of cancer
• Type I diabetes
• depression, particularly seasonal affective disorder
• autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis
• heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases
• bone issues including osteoporosis and fractures
• the flu and its related complications
Clinician Dr. Nalini Chilkov encourages people to visit their physicians for a blood test to check their Vitamin D3 levels. Although the body creates vitamin D when UV light reaches the skin, people of all nations and age groups are increasingly at risk for not sustaining adequate levels of the vitamin. Some factors that impact this are the use of sunscreens, decreased production of the vitamin among the aging or dark-skinned, poor intake of the foods rich in vitamin D, and inadequate exposure to UV light.
Dr. Chilkov says recent research indicates the recommended range of blood-level vitamin D for optimal health needs to increase. Patients should monitor their blood level of vitamin D through periodic re-testing, working with a physician to determine their own unique needs and health concerns.
Related Article:
Vitamin D: What We Know, What We Don’t, What We Need To Know
Source:
The Huffington Post: 10 Reasons You Should Be Tested for Vitamin D
