Vitamin D Information -

[Guest guest]

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/================

Understanding Vitamin D Cholecalciferol

The high rate of natural production of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol (pronounced koh·luh·kal·sif·uh·rawl)

in the skin is the single most important fact every person should know

about vitamin D—a fact that has profound implications for the natural

human condition.

Technically not a "vitamin," vitamin D is in a class by itself. Its metabolic product, calcitriol, is actually a secosteroid hormone that targets over 2000 genes (about 10% of the human genome) in the human body. Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency

as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer

as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases,

diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis,

muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease,

and more.

Vitamin D's influence on key biological functions vital to one's

health and well-being mandates that vitamin D no longer be ignored by

the health care industry nor by individuals striving to achieve and

maintain a greater state of health.

Sunshine and Your Health

If well adults and adolescents regularly avoid sunlight exposure, research indicates a necessity to supplement with at least 5,000 units (IU)

of vitamin D daily. To obtain this amount from milk one would need to

consume 50 glasses. With a multivitamin more than 10 tablets would be

necessary. Neither is advisable.

The skin produces approximately 10,000 IU vitamin D in response 20–30 minutes summer sun exposure—50 times more than the US government's recommendation of 200 IU per day!

How To Get Enough Vitamin D

There are 3 ways for adults to insure adequate levels of vitamin D:

regularly receive midday sun exposure in the late spring, summer, and early fall, exposing as much of the skin as possible.regularly use a sun bed (avoiding sunburn) during the colder months.take 5,000 IU per day for three months, then obtain a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. Adjust your dosage so that blood levels are between 50–80 ng/mL (or 125–200 nM/L) year-round.

Noteworthy News

H1N1 Swine Flu and Vitamin D

Dr. Cannell receives crucial emails from two physicians who have evidence vitamin D is protective against H1N1 Swine Flu.

Read the emails in our September 2009 "Special Report" edition of our Vitamin D Newsletter: Vitamin D and H1N1 Swine Flu.

Learn about the profound effects vitamin D has on the immune system and why it could potentially be a potent ally this coming swine flu season!

Read the May 2009 H1N1 Flu and Vitamin D edition of our Vitamin D Newsletter (subscription form at top of page).

Watch this video of an interview with Vitamin D Council Executive Director Dr. Cannell,

where he explains vitamin D's effect on innate and adaptive immunity

and what that means in relation to viral infections, such as the flu or

the common cold.

Our Mission

The Vitamin D Council envisions a world with less illness, suffering, and needless death due to vitamin D deficiency. It is our mission to make that vision a reality by educating the masses as to the profound health benefits of vitamin D.Thank you for you support.

New Site Additions!

Visit our newly-expanded Vitamin D Research section to see research on topics such as Influenza, Innate and Adaptive Immunity,

Mortality, Breast and Prostate Cancer, Depression, Premenstrual

Syndrome (PMS), Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Asthma, COPD, and more. Additional topics to be added soon!

Read quotes about vitamin D and sunlight by vitamin D experts, nutrition experts, and medical professionals on our new Vitamin D Quotes page.

Vitamin D and Autism

Now a single theory answers the many unanswered questions

surrounding autism. A theory that implies a simple prevention and

raises the possibility of treatment.

It's called the Vitamin D Theory of Autism—read about it in our section, Autism and Vitamin D.