Vitamin D and calcium deficits predispose for multiple chronic diseases
I continue to rant on about how much research there is supporting Vit D and how much we’ve become deathly afraid of the sun. Estimates range that as high as a whopping 75% of the population are Vit D deficient. Given that it has been shown to protect against colon, prostate and breast cancer, atherosclerosis, certain forms of depression (specifically seasonal affective disorder), increase insulin sensitivity, strengthen bones, and probably many other things I can recall now, this is a major concern. Even more of a concern is how much Vit D we consider “adequate.” Normal sunlight exposure produces about 10,000 IU per day.
There is a wonderful review (Read More full text also available) that debunks the “upper safety threshold” of 2,000 IU–suggesting that daily intakes up around 4,000 IU are probably what should be recommended. Contrast that with the current recommendations of a paltry 400 IU–almost 10 times below!!
