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I promised myself I will try to write here at least once every couple of weeks |
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April 13th , 2008 Vitamin D: vitamin and hormoneThe role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis (and prevention of osteoporosis) is well known yet very few clinicians measure vitamin D levels. What is less known is that 1, 25 Dihydroxy vitamin D receptors occur in almost every tissue in the body. Vitamin D and its metabolites are involved in regulation of immunity and thereby low levels are implicated in autoimmune diseases: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and possibly multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with muscle weakness among elderly patients.
There is increasing evidence that Vitamin D deficiency is the cause of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and decreased cognition n elderly patients. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and may increases blood sugars (there is a definite link between low levels of vitamin and type II diabetes) Vitamin D deficiency may be involved in malignancy: colon cancer in northern latitudes. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is an on-going epidemic: pregnant women have their folate levels checked routinely but almost no one checks a Vitamin D level. Vitamin D deficiency in newborns leads to an increased incidence of asthma and allergies, possibly tuberculosis at the later age.
Fact: most patients are vitamin D deficient even in the summer time!
So how much vitamin D do you need?
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