More Secrets Of Vitamin D

On Oct 13th, 2010, Dr. John E. Whitcomb gave a presentation at Aurora Health in Sheboygan,WI.  He covered multiple topics regarding vitamin D, including:  the benefits of vitamin D, why you should be using a vitamin D supplement, and vitamin d toxicity...among other topics.  You can get a DVD copy of his presentation by filling out the form on the right.

While I have done several blog posts in the past regarding the benefits of vitamin D (Vitamin D, Part 1, Vitamin D vs flu shot, and Do UV Light Bulbs Produce Vitamin D), Dr Whitcomb provided even more information on the subject.  Enough to do another multi-part series on this important vitamin.

First, let's get a foundation down and discuss some of the history and facts about vitamin D.  In the early 1900's, 90% of children had rickets...a vitamin D deficiency illness.  In the 1930's, milk was supplemented with vitamin D and this helped to drastically reduce the cases of rickets.

Vitamin D works as a hormone and tells cells to start growing.  It turns "on" 2000 genes and, interestingly, "sticks" where auto immune disease and cancers are made.  Keep that in mind.

As I have mentioned in my previous posts, our skin creates vitamin D from the sun.  However, as we grow older our skin produces less of it.  In fact, a 70yr old makes only 25% of what a 20yr old makes.  Another interesting fact is we cannot make vitamin D from the sun north of 35-degrees Latitude in the winter.  So if you live north of Atlanta, GA, you are not getting any vitamin D from the sun.  It's simply not at the correct angle in the horizon.

Let's go back to the rickets example from 1900.  Back then, and before vitamin D, they cured rickets by taking a tablespoon of cod liver oil, which happens to contain vitamin D.  In fact, it is about 400IU.  Which is why the RDI value of vitamin D today is 400IU.  As I have explained before, the RDIs are the MINIMAL amount we need to take in order to fend off these "classic" diseases.

So if we can't make vitamin D in the winter, you may ask yourself how the Inuit people living in the arctic can survive.  After all, do they not experience winter for half of the year?  That is very true.  However, their main diet is fatty fish...a source of vitamin D.  In fact, the people of Norway have a similar diet...and their rates of Muscular Sclerosis is "dramatically lower" than in the U.S.  Why is that?

That is exactly what I will cover in the next blog post.  I'll get into some specific studies regarding vitamin D,  I will also relay what Dr. Whitcomb stated were safe, advisable, and toxic levels of vitamin D.  Why influenza may be a "vitamin D deficiency" disease and how vitamin D affects your risk of diabetes, cancer, and Muscular Sclerosis  I think you will find the next article very eye-opening when it comes to potential disease prevention.

Again, I want to thank Dr. Whitcomb and Aurora Health for allowing me to report on his presentation.  The views presented here are his.  They have also given me permission to offer his presentation to you...free of charge.  Again, if you would like to receive a DVD of his presentation, fill out the form in the upper right.

To Your Health

Scott Huff has been helping people obtain optimal levels of vitamins and minerals through the use of  pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements.  He is also experienced in helping people create an alternate source of income, simply by educating and helping others with their health.  For more information on this unique opportunity, please watch this short video tour, or send an email with any questions to:  huffster@usana.com.