What is one of the cheapest and easiest interventions in medicine that would save lives and money? Optimizing vitamin D levels with nutritional enzyme therapy. 

By some estimates, over one billion people worldwide are Vitamin D deficient. This global health problem has been called “an ignored epidemic” due to its prevalence and associated health risks. Vitamin D deficiency may even have a significant impact on the body’s response to COVID-19 or coronavirus. 

Ensuring our bodies have sufficient vitamin D to function properly doesn’t require significant lifestyle changes, specialty equipment, or cutting-edge treatments, however, most people still have issues getting enough. Why is this and why is this such an issue in the modern age?  

Over the years with human evolution, behavioral changes, and shifting societal norms, we have moved from being outside and naked to clothed and indoors. Because of this, we have steadily reduced our body’s exposure to sunlight and with it, its ability to create the vitamin D we need. 

Vitamin D deficiency can affect everyone. There are very few foods with vitamin D, making deficiency more likely. Some foods that contain vitamin D are fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, cod liver oil, and other items such as eggs.

Without this health-promoting and disease-preventing property, our bodies suffer, creating issues like suppressed immune systems, fatigue, depression, and more. There are many diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency. In children: rickets, obesity, depression, cancer, increased growing pains, and possibly ADD. In adults: hyperthyroidism, osteopenia, osteoporosis, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, renal cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, autoimmune disorders, type 2 diabetes, fractures, periodontal issues, depression, and more. 

Even with vitamin D being such an important component of our overall health, there’s still a long list of misinformation on the topic and supplementations. Below, our health experts set the record straight on a few common and not so common myths.  

Myth – Vitamin D is a vitamin.

Truth– Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin. It is produced by our bodies naturally as a direct result of sunlight exposure and can also be absorbed through specific foods, like fish. Every cell has vitamin D receptors for 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D and the number of bodily functions reliant on vitamin D is staggering. This includes cells that form the adrenal gland, bones, brain tissue, colon, hair follicles, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, muscles, ovaries, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, prostate, skin, stomach, thyroid, uterus, and so much more.

Myth – Being outside provides enough vitamin D.

Truth– Most people can’t get enough vitamin D from sun exposure. Our ancestors spent all their time in the sun fishing, farming, and hunting. In today’s society, more people are indoors, which equals less exposure to the sun and less production of vitamin D. Now add clothes and sunscreen (SPF 8+), which inhibit the absorption of vitamin D, and, well, you get the point.

Myth – Recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 1,000 IU is adequate.

Truth– Taking the RDA 1,000 IU will lower your vitamin D levels. 1,000 IU will only raise a person’s level by 10 nmol/l. The recommended level is 60 to 85 nmol/l.

Myth – Vitamin D2 supplement is a food.

Truth– Vitamin D2 (in food) is 1/3 as effective as naturally occurring vitamin D3. Most foods have vitamin D2 added.

Myth – Vitamin D reference range of 20-35 is effective.

Truth– The current reference range for vitamin D is 20-100. Levels of 25 or less may increase the risk of disease. The optimal effective range is 65-85.

Myth – All vitamin D is the same.

Truth– Vitamin D3 is the preferred source. Vitamin D2 is derived from plants.

Myth – Vitamin D is nontoxic.

Truth– Too much vitamin D can cause hyper-calcification, which should be monitored.