Care2Healthy Living/Michelle Schoffro Cook: Why is Vitamin D Deficiency So High? It's Not Lack of Sun

Care2 Healthy Living | Why is Vitamin D Deficiency So High? It's Not Lack of Sun
Why is Vitamin D Deficiency So High? It’s Not Lack of Sun
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    By: Michelle Schoffro Cook
    June 14, 2018

    About Michelle
    Follow Michelle at @mschoffrocook

We don’t often think about whether we’re getting enough vitamin D in the sunnier spring and summer months but we should. That’s because 41.6 percent of all Americans and 1 billion people worldwide are believed to be deficient in vitamin D, causing some researchers to refer to the situation as the “ignored epidemic.” Blacks and Hispanics had much higher rates with 82.1 percent and 69.2 percent being deficient in vitamin D, respectively.

New research published earlier this month may have insight into one of the reasons for the wide-scale deficiency. The research presented by the European Society for Endocrinology at their annual meeting found that increased belly fat and obesity may be playing a role in the deficiency.

It may surprise you to learn that the more abdominal fat you have, the more likely you are to be deficient in the essential nutrient, which is technically a hormone. According to research presented in EurekAlert, research found a correlation between obesity and vitamin D deficiency. What’s not yet clear is whether the body hoards fat as a result of the vitamin D deficiency or whether the excessive fat causes a vitamin D deficiency. More research should help to clarify whether it is a cause or effect relationship.
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Obesity is a global issue of epidemic proportions and is estimated as a cause for 2.8 million deaths every year. So, getting on top of both the obesity and vitamin D deficiency is critical to many peoples’ health and wellbeing. Considering that a vitamin D deficiency is linked to the risk factors for many serious health conditions, this is not a situation that is to be taken lightly. Vitamin D deficiencies are commonly linked to poor bone health but can also be a factor for heart disease, autoimmune conditions, respiratory tract infections and other serious health concerns.

Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis and degenerative nerve or brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. It has been linked to a variety of cancer, particularly breast, prostate and colon cancers, as well as stroke, birth defects and more.

The nutrient is believed to control the immune system and is known to be linked to improved mood. It has even been found to reduce pain levels and protect the brain against toxic chemicals.
Is Sunlight Enough?

Most health practitioners tell people that moderate sunlight exposure provides sufficient vitamin D, but if that were true, it is unlikely the incidence of vitamin D would be so high, particularly during the spring and summer months. The other sources of vitamin D include food and supplements. The primary food sources of vitamin D include: fish, liver and egg yolks. Supplementation may be necessary to address widespread deficiencies.

If you supplement with vitamin D, choose D3 or cholecalciferol since it is the form that has been found in research to provide the greatest health benefits. However, if you’re vegan, you’ll want to avoid this supplement since it is usually extracted from fish. Instead, you’ll want to consider synthetic vitamin D2. Nutritionists usually recommend between 800 and 2000 IU but you’ll definitely want to stick to a lower dose if you’re using synthetic vitamin D. The vitamin can be stored in the body so be sure not to exceed these dosages unless you’re working with a health professional skilled in nutritional supplementation.
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Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is the publisher of the free e-newsletter World’s Healthiest News, the Cultured Cook, co-founder of BestPlaceinCanada, and an international best-selling and 20-time published book author whose works include the vegan cookbook: The Cultured Cook: Delicious Fermented Foods with Probiotics to Knock Out Inflammation, Boost Gut Health, Lose Weight & Extend Your Life.


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28 comments
Sheila D
Sheila D27 minutes ago

I have a friend who is neither obese nor unfit. She works out every day, eats right, and is constantly in the sun, yet was recently diagnosed as "critically" low on vitamin D. As always, everyone is different. Those over 50 should have their levels checked as it's harder to absorb vitamin D as we get older. Thanks for the post.
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Marija M
Marija M40 minutes ago

tks
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Tumeria L
Tumeria L43 minutes ago

There is a vegan D3 out there. I take it on days I don't get enough sun exposure.
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Wesley S
Wesley Sabout an hour ago

The study says, essentially, "What’s not yet clear is whether the body hoards fat as a result of the vitamin D deficiency or whether the excessive fat causes a vitamin D deficiency." It seems a rather starightforward way to answer that is to provide obese people with enough Vitamin D to make up there deficiency and see if they begin to lose weight (or at least, belly fat). In any case, a weird connection, there! (and what DO vegans do about getting enough D3? D2 is NOT the same creature, even if it acts similarly - and it is articifial, something that vegans would look askance at).
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Gloria p
Gloria picchettiabout an hour ago

I don't take vitamin D everyday because it is toxic.
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Leo Custer
Leo Cabout an hour ago

Thank you for sharing!
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Lisa M
Lisa Mabout an hour ago

Noted.
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Lisa M
Lisa Mabout an hour ago

Noted.
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Jeramie D
Jeramie Dabout an hour ago

Thanks
SEND
Cindy S
Cindy S1 hours ago

ann b is right
SEND
view all 28 comments
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