As a youngster I had no idea the sun had an adverse affect on me. I ran track, played tennis, did all sorts of outdoor activities and never knew why days later I was tired, listless, achy, etc.  Of course this did a number on coaches who saw me perform well in practice only to see my performance drop to below average the day of the track meet or tennis match.  Oh the yelling, the screaming and the gnashing of teeth as I heard all sorts of things about how I was not living up to my potential, was lazy, selfish or whatever they could scream in those passionate moments.

Fortunately, I did have some good performance days which were probably preceded by practices that took place outside on overcast days, or perhaps it rained and we practiced inside and by the time we hit the day of the track meet or tennis match, my performance was above-average and of course I received all sorts of pats on the head, hugs, accolades and whatever else could be served up that said “job well done.”

No one knew I had lupus.  I certainly did not know and I could not explain why I could excel some days and flop like a dead fish on others.  I had no clue.  My mother tried everything and she took me to the doctor constantly but they found nothing so there I was, hanging out there like the proverbial candle in the wind.  Decades later a doctor attaches the word lupus to me and tells me to stay out of the sun between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Now, it all makes sense.

Dutifully, I listened to my doctor’s warning and I have stayed out of the sun between those hours — sometimes — and when I feel good and think the words don’t apply, I have gone out and cut grass after 10:00 a.m.  I paid for the mistake later and earlier this year I paid dearly with an extreme bout of anemia.  I never knew the body could be taken down that badly.   Fortunately, I survived the experience to tell about it but wouldn’t it have been better if I had just listened and did the right thing?  Yes, I think so.

In 2005, when I was diagnosed with lupus, I was granted visitation to see the vampires once a month.  Every month the vampires pull blood from my arm and hand me a cup for a little fluid collection and off I go.  It wasn’t until sometime last year I received this nice little note in the mail that told me my Vitamin D levels were extremely low.  My doctor’s note next to the low levels said “Vit D low, take 1,000 i.u. of D every day for six months.”

At first I ignored the comment thinking I was taking D daily in my Caltrate, why take more?  I dabled in D for a while before finally taking it seriously this year when I, quite honestly, got tired of being asked the same question after my doctors saw my blood work “are you taking D?”  At that point I thought maybe I should bone on on this D thing.

What Does D Do?

Vitamin D is essential for promoting calcium absorption in the gut and maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone and prevent hypocalcemic tetany.  Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D has other roles in human health, including modulation of neuromuscular and immune function and reduction of inflammation.

Vitamin D and Cancer

Dr. Cedric Garland, professor of family and preventive medicine at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, has done some research on Vitamin D and cancer.

Dr. Garland suggested that much of the process that starts cancer in the first place could be stopped at the outset by maintaining enough vitamin D in the body. “Vitamin D may halt the first stage of the cancer process by re-establishing intercellular junctions in malignancies having an intact vitamin D receptor,” he said. And, he added, that if diet and supplements restore appropriate levels of vitamin D, the development of cancer might be prevented. According to Dr. Garland, vitamin D levels can be easily increased, if needed, by modest supplementation with vitamin D3 in the range of 2000 IU/day.

Is It Really A Vitamin

Actually, no.  Vitamin D is actually a metabolic product and deficiency in this little metabolic product, according to research, is a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.

Yeah, it’s really important and I wish I had truly researched this before blowing it off last year.

Vitamin D Versus D3

Well, actually it’s Vitamin D2 versus D3 and that’s something I learned only recently when a friend told me “you should be taking D3.”  As if life wasn’t confusing enough, now I’m hearing the arguments over why I should take D3 versus D2 (or what is commonly known as D).  Well, lo and behold there is a difference.

In short form, Vitamin D (or D2 ergocalciferol) is a synthetic (usually obtained from yeast).  It’s the stuff you will find in fortified milk, yogurt, cereals, etc.   Vitamin D2 is great for vegans because it typically contains no animal products.  However, D3 (cholecalciferol) is derived from animals (usually from sheep’s wool or fish oil).  I have heard D3 is the best form of Vitamin D because it is absorbed better in the body.

Which is really better?  I couldn’t tell you because the arguments continue on this subject.

Summary

Since I am not a vegan I have decided to take Vitamin D3.  I am also taking Vitamin D (or D2) in my calcium supplement as well so my guess is I’m fully covered.  Since my doctors are testing my vitamin D levels every month I will know when I hit the wall, if you will, and they will tell me when to stop because it can be toxic for you if you take too much.

The test needed to ascertain the levels of Vitamin D in your system is the 25(OH)D blood test and is the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body.

My suggestion is get the test and know your levels.  If you don’t work outdoors, are a shift worker, get very little sunlight, etc., you might want to know your levels and then supplement to increase the levels of Vitamin D in your system.  Considering all of the news lately surrounding Vitamin D deficiency, you might want to be more proactive than reactive.

Now, what form of Vitamin D — D2 or D3 — I’ll leave that up to you.  Do your research and take your Vitamin D.  You’ll be glad you did.

Links

• MercuryNews.com — New study to explore vitamin D deficiency in blacks
• Examiner.com — Vitamin D deficiency a growing global problem
• Science Daily — Vitamin D Deficiency Is Widespread And On The Increase