Vitamin D - Wow! The findings just keep getting better.

The results just keep coming in. Vitamin D is truly amazing.

Vitamin D (D3 or Cholecalciferol) actually isn't a vitamin. It more rightly should be considered a hormone. Like any other hormone deficiency in our body (thyroid, adrenal, pituitary etc) a lack of Vitamin D can be disastrous. As a matter of fact Vitamin D may well be the most ancient factor evolved by man to deal with his environment. We get it from sunlight.

We all know that the sun is life. Is it so crazy to think that this doesn't pertain to us as well? Over the last few decades, the sun has been demonized as something terribly bad for us. It wasn't always that way though. Before modern drug based medicine, doctors knew the value of sunshine and would regularly prescribe sunbathing as a way to cure any variety of ailments.

My how things have changed. Over the last few decades, the line has been to shun the sun because it causes cancer and early onset aging and skin damage. Some specialists in the field of Dermatology are now beginning to question this logic. Some even are noting the lack of research present at all to support this line of thought. Some are even starting to say that a lack of sun causes skin cancer (as well as many other types of cancers and health problems).

The recommendation now is to get 20-30 minutes of direct sun to skin exposure per day. Burning isn't good but it only takes a few minutes for our bodies to make what it needs to be effective. For those that don't get sun everyday, most of us, taking a supplement is needed. 5000 IU's per day is a good amount to take. After 6 months, have your doctor check your blood levels to see how you are faring. The goal is to have between 50 and 80 ng/dl. Numerous medical doctors are now starting to check these levels routinely. Your doctor will not be surprised by your request.

For all the information you ever wanted to know about Vitamin D check out www.vitamindcouncil.org

With all the research appearing, why don't we hear more about it? Well......Vitamin D can't be patented and it's dirt cheap. Hmmmmmm

Yours for better health,
Dr. Loughridge