Power of Vitamin D (2010) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“08/11: Highlights: "In areas north of 44 degrees N latitude, sun rays are less effective in producing vitamin D in the skin during winter months. The farther north you life, the less effective skin synthesis of vitamin D is from sun exposure." "As you grow older, the skin becomes less efficient in synthesizing vitamin D from sun exposure." "If you use sunscreen, then your skin can't form vitamin D, even if you live in a sunny area." "I believe the optimal blood level of 25 (OH) vitamin D to be in the range of 50-100 ng/ml (125-250 nmol/L). I feel that a vitamin D concentration at this level is important in order to build strong bones, improve immune function, treat aches, pains, chronic fatigue and prevent and treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, tooth fractures, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and depression." "From a practical stand point, I recommend taking advantage of three sources of vitamin D: sun, diet and vitamin D supplements. I never resort to ultraviolet lamps, which are expensive and in my experience, unnecessary." "People with fair skin, without any history of skin cancer, should go out in the sun for short periods, about 10-15 minutes a day, without any sunscreen, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The duration of sun exposure can be a bit more during winter onths and a little less during summer months." "The starting dose of vitamin D suplement depends on how low your vitamin D level is. The aim is to build up your stores of vitamin D and then keep them well replenished. In most cases I start patients on Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Only rarely do I use Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)." "Most of my patients require a daily dose of 2,000-6,000 I.U. of vitamin D3 to maintain a good level of vitamin D. Some need up to 8,000-10,000 I.U. a day. In general, obese people require a larger dose compared to thin people, as vitamin D is fat soluble and gets trapped in the fat." "I check vitamin D level in all of my patients and been doing so over the last ten years. In the last ten years, I haven't seen a single case of serious vitamin D toxicity in my patients while they are on vitamin D3 or D2 supplementation.”

Shannon C wrote this review Sunday, August 14, 2011.