What We Should Know About Vitamin D

What we should know about vitamin D, and what the doctors are not telling us; can create serious problems in woman and men alike. Most people do not realize that by the time they are in their mid-thirties there body is in need of calcium and vitamin D to avoid the crippling affects of Osteoporosis. Woman usually begin to lose bone mass during menopause; and by the time this stage of their life is finished, they are completely depleted of calcium and vitamin D, so any twist, fall, or carrying items too heavy can cause a break that will change their life forever.

Men don’t be fouled you too are at a risk of osteoporosis, since your body is not manufacturing new bone growth at the same rate as it was when you were twenty!

So what can we do for our bones; well as time goes on we are finding out more information to help us to rebuild and maintain our bone mass. Most important step would be to go to your doctor, get a bone density test; then insist on blood work to check your Vitamin D levels. Without Vitamin D, the body is unable to absorb calcium and phosphorus; so now we spend a fortune on calcium and it is not doing anything for us.

Vitamin D can be found in three forms

Vitamin D-2 is found in foods, such as eggs and mackerel.

Vitamin D-3 is created by the body, in response to the sun’s ultra-violet rays.

Vitamin D-5 is synthetic, usually in pill form.

Vitamin D-3 is the most natural, since it comes from the sun, but for those of us living in the northern part of the country, where our days are shorter and the sun is further away; it makes it hard to get all the necessary Vitamin D naturally.

By cooking with certain herbs such as parsley and alfalfa, we can add taste and vitamin D to our meals. Most fish contain Vitamin D, such as oysters, sardines, and tuna to name a few. So in addition to

Sunlight, we can add these items to our diet. Then leave the rest to the information that we receive back from our doctors.

I think and you should check with your doctor that if you must take calcium and vitamin D, it would be best absorbed if taken individually. These are supplements that should be taken on an empty stomach, two hours after or before a meal. Vitamin D should never be taken as you sole supplement, since its job is to help you absorb calcium.

Vitamin D is also helpful in reducing the risk of colon and prostate cancer, as well as certain heart diseases and type 1 diabetes.

After the blood work, your doctor may be quite satisfied with your level of Vitamin D, she may increase the amount you take; he may even give you a prescription for a bigger amount of this very important supplement.

After the bone density he may notice a loss of bone mass and prescribe either Fosamax or Boniva; or something similar, follow the direction carefully, ask question; and if you feel some of the side affects ALWAYS and IMMEDIATELY call your doctor.

Always check with your doctor before making any changes, since other tests might need to be done, to check your over all health.