As we approach the Fall Daylight Savings Time I am reminded to reach into the back of my medicine cabinet and get out my Vitamin D. This vitamin is critical for many processes in the body and according to research, 40% of Canadians are deficient in this key vitamin during the winter months (1).
I usually suggest asking for your Vitamin D levels to be checked with a routine blood test. Since Vitamin D is a fatty vitamin, it is stored in your body and you can take too much. The result of overdosing on Vitamin D is a build-up of calcium in your blood which can lead to nausea/vomiting, kidney problems and tissue calcification.
Why bother supplementing this vitamin? Here is a list of reasons for you to consider!
Low vitamin D levels have been linked to:
more severe depression (2)
bipolar disorder (3)
Increased risk of atopic dermatitis (eczema) in children (5)
Increased risk of cardiac events (8)
Sleep apnea (9)
Increased risk of alzheimer’s disease (10)
Increased autoimmunity and an increased susceptibility to infection (11)
Low vitamin D during a pregnancy has been linked to:
increased risk of ADHD in children (4)
Increased risk of multiple sclerosis in children (6)
Increased allergies in children (7)
At your next appointment with Dr. Jada or Dr. Naomi, ask about having your Vitamin D levels checked if you haven't had this test done and get advice on which brands are the best quality ones.
Book online here!
References:
1. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-624-x/2013001/article/11727-eng.htm
2. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/depression-vitamin-d-deficiency-lack-study-severity-mental-health-effects-a7369781.html
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27662458
4. http://anp.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/09/29/0004867416670013.abstract
5. http://koreabizwire.com/lack-of-outdoor-activity-leads-to-atopic-dermatitis-in-children/62707
6. http://media.jamanetwork.com/news-item/vitamin-d-deficiency-during-pregnancy-may-increase-risk-of-ms-in-children/
7. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-04-vitamin-d-childhood-allergy.html
8. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308566.php
9. http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=30430
10. http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2436596
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21527855