Blog article

Vitamin D deficiency

In Australia we have on average a 23% Vitamin D deficiency in our bodies. In NSW we are a whopping 39% deficient! Why is this with all the sunshine we have in this country? Well, the slip slop slap campaign has been very effective in getting people to put sun tan lotion on and also to cover up with clothing, all to protect us from the harmful sun's rays and skin cancer. And this layering has prevented the sun 's rays from reaching our skin and converting a substance in our skin to a Vit D precurser. 

So why do we need an adequate amout of Vit D in our bodies? There are 4 benefits:

1. Helps calcium absorbtion for bone health and osteoporosis
2. Improves gut health  - as an anti inflammatory,increases the numbers of beneficial microbes, regulated tight junctions to help leaky gut, increases butyrate to protect against colon cancer.
3. Modulates the immune system by boosting various protective chemicals
4. Improves mood

So what is considered low, normal and optimal levels of Vit D in the blood?

• Low is less than 50 nm/L
• Normal is greater than 75
• Optimal is 100-150 nm/L 

    There are three different forms of Vit D.

1. Vit D2  Ergaterol - found in plants
2. Vit D3 Colecalciferol -  found in animals
3. Vit D3 Calcifediol the most bio available form. 

93% of Calcifediol is absorbed vs 79% of colecalciferol. 

So if you are very Vit D deficient using Calcifediol will raise your serum levels of Vit D quicker than the standard colecalciferol. 

So, when would you use this rapidly  absorbed calcifediol?

• Vit D deficiency - less than 50 nmol/L
• Immune dysfunctions
• Secondary hyperthyroidism
• Leaky gut
• Osteoporosis
• Obstructed Vit D metabolism
• Athletes
• Obesity

With people being overweight the fat cells latch onto the Vit D and take it out of circulation which is not what we want. Also, being an inflammatory condition more Vit D needs to be used to be effective.

So by giving 20 ug/L of calcifediol for 12 weeks the Vit D levels will rise by 100 nmol/L, bringing Vit D to optimal levels. When this is achieved you can switch back to a regular Vit D supplement. 

You might well say, well what about regular sunshine instead of taking a pill? 

Basically it is easier taking a pill. For sunshine to be adequate you need to be diligent and expose your arms/hands  to UVB light between 10am and 3pm for 15 to 30 mins. most days of the week without sunscreen. Care must be taken not to burn yourself!

OR you can eat foods high in Vit D such as fish, milk, bananas and cereals. And you can take cod liver oil too.

I hope this has helped. There is a newish Vit D product on the market that will raise your Vit D levels quickly as it has Calcifediol in it (as discussed above). Let me know if you are interested. 

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