Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Well, if you’re like one-third of the U.S. population, chances are you’re not. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over 36 percent of Americans are considered vitamin D deficient – and studies conducted by a group of researchers from Harvard Medical School, the University of Colorado-Denver and Massachusetts General Hospital suggest that nearly 90 percent of all African American children may have insufficient levels too.
It truly has become an epidemic. With each passing day, scientists and physicians discover new correlations between vitamin D deficiencies and disease. The risks include osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, autoimmune disorders, heart disease and cancer, and the list just keeps on growing.
So how do we really know if we’re getting enough vitamin D?
According to the bioidentical hormones experts at BodyLogicMD, the required daily intake of vitamin D ranges from one individual to the next and should be supplemented as follows:
· 1,000 IU is the daily recommended dose for most adults
· 1,250 IU is the daily recommended dose for perimenopause women
· (Up to) 1,500 IU may be required for women after menopause
What is the best source of vitamin D?
Vitamin D can be found in a variety of sources, ranging from diet and supplementation to simply catching some rays. Although many scientists preach that sunlight is the most viable source for adequate supplementation, there are many risks that come along with prolonged exposure to UV radiation, such as skin cancers. Additionally, many of the foods we turn to get our vitamin D, such as milk, cheese and other fortified dairy products, are all high in saturated fat, which can also present its own set of health challenges, if consumed in large quantities. That’s why BodyLogicMD physicians recommend pharmaceutical-grade supplements to raise vitamin D levels to a normal range. For more information on supplements, contact one of BodyLogicMD's bioidentical hormone doctors.