At my annual physical this year, the vitamin my doctor was most concerned of that I was getting was vitamin D.  She gave me a handout on it and I found some very interesting things on it.  Usually, I take it home and put it on my desk and still have not read it by the time the next physical comes around.  I’m not proud of this fact, but I’m sure many of you have done the same thing.

This year, since I am truly interested in getting healthier, losing some weight and feeling better, I decided to read it.  Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because it can be made from the sun’s UVB rays.  Some people can get enough sun exposure to give them enough vitamin D.  I stay out of the sun these days because of all the skin cancers.

Research is showing most healthy adults need at least 2,000 International Units of vitamin D daily.  It is very difficult to get this much from food.  You can take vitamin D supplements to help get this much.

Having low blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with: cancer rates and recurrence; autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, celiac disease, arthritis; heart disease and congestive heart failure; depression and seasonal affective disorder; pain/weakness (muscle, fibromyalgia); adequate vitamin D in pregnancy promotes healthy brain development in baby; impaired immune function; risk of bone fracture from falls; Crohn disease/ulcerative colitis; high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke; osteoporosis and rickets; and chronic kidney disease.

The first thing to do about finding out what you need as far as vitamin D, or any other supplements for that matter, is to talk with your doctor on your individual circumstance to see what is best for you.