Importance of Vitamin D

With fall in full swing, and winter just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about vitamin D supplements.  Usually we get our vitamin D from the sun (hence the name "the sunshine vitamin"), but as days get shorter we get less vitamin D (actually it has been found that Canadians in general do not get enough vitamin D).  

The new daily supplement guidelines published in July by the Canadian Medical Association Journal include supplements of 400 to 1000 IU for adults under the age of 50 without osteoporosis or conditions affecting vitamin D absorption.  For adults over 50 supplementation between 800 and 2000 IU is recommended.  

So why is Vitamin D important? Vitamin D plays many roles in the body some of them include:

• Maintaining health bones and teeth

• Supporting the immune system, brain and nervous system

• Regulating insulin levels and assistance with diabetes management

• Supporting lung function and cardiovascular health

• Influencing the expression of genes involved in cancer development

When it comes to choosing supplements, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for evidence about how well the product works in scientific studies from credible publications. Search for such studies in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) PubMed database: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed. You can also call the manufacturer and ask what published studies they have to back up their claims. It’s also a good idea to find out how they ensure the ingredients listed on the supplement label are actually in the bottle.

• If a product claims it will “cure” a disease, is “all-natural,” or has a “money-back guarantee,” be on guard. Any supplement that sounds too good to be true likely is.

• Choose brands labeled with the NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, or Consumer Lab seal. These verify that the product actually contains the ingredients that the label says it does, and that the product doesn’t have any potentially harmful ingredients.

• Be wary of supplements made outside the United States or Canada. Many aren’t regulated, and some may have toxic ingredients.

We will be carrying the Ascenta professional line in our clinic. A product that we have been taking for years.  We strongly believe in vitamin D supplementation, so much that we started giving it to our son when he was days old and even give it to our dog Winston!  Come check out Ascenta the next time you are in the clinic!

Disclaimer

None of the information provided on this website should be substituted for medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed healthcare practitioner. This blog is simply an extension of ourselves where we may express educated, opinions, values, thoughts and concerns.