Below is a portion of a very good article by Dr. Daniel
Pompa. His article will be covered in
our newsletter over the next 5 months with one vitamin being covered each
month.
The Vitamin Deficiency and Nutrient Epidemic
Jul 25, 2014 | Posted by Dr. Daniel Pompa, D.C., D.PSc.
The Vitamin Deficiency Epidemic: In a perfect world, the air
would be clean, our oceans and water supplies free of pollution, and everyone
would get their vitamins and minerals from a well-balanced organic diet and
plenty of sunshine. Considering the following wide-spread vitamin deficiencies,
however, this is not the case. Most Americans are deficient in the very
vitamins and minerals essential for basic body function. But vitamin
deficiencies are not at the root of modern disease: the source is toxin-driven
inflammation. To truly impact health, underlying inflammation must be
decreased. Vitamins and minerals play a key role in this process. High-quality
supplements provide nutrients missing from the diet which activate and support
the body’s God-given ability to heal. If you’re reading this right now in
America there’s a good chance you’re deficient in some or all of the five
following vitamins, and if you’re going to take supplements these are the five
to take.
Vitamin D
Three quarters of the American population is deficient in
vitamin D. This essential vitamin plays a significant role in many body
functions including bone formation, calcium absorption, cell growth,
neuromuscular and immune function, and decreasing inflammation. Low vitamin D
levels are linked to an increased risk of major diseases such as heart disease,
diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. A low vitamin D level also
predisposes you to various autoimmune disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and
Type 1 diabetes.
Vitamin D is proof that God knew what he was doing: the
darker your skin, the more sun exposure is needed to raise your vitamin D
levels. In the past, people with dark skin lived near the sunny equator, and
could be out in the sun all day long. The problem today is that many darker-skinned
people live in cloudy regions with little sun, so they easily become deficient.
An increased risk of deficiency in turn leads to an increased risk of other
diseases associated with a low vitamin D level.
In the past, doctors warned individuals to not supplement
with vitamin D, stating it could cause cancer, hip fractures, or be easily
overdosed and built-up in the body because it is fat soluble. Fat soluble
vitamins do stay in the body longer than water soluble vitamins, which flush
out of your system and are hard to take in excess. God designed fat soluble
vitamins to remain in the body longer because we need them so much. The problem
is that fat soluble vitamins (others include K, A, and E) all compete for the
same cell receptors. When one vitamin is blocked by another competing vitamin,
a functional deficiency occurs. This is why taking a fat soluble vitamin
supplement that only contains vitamin D, for example, puts you at risk for
deficiency of other fat soluble vitamins.
What is the best way to maintain adequate vitamin D levels?
Get in the sun! If we’re not getting enough sunlight, our body is not producing
enough vitamin D. And unless you’re eating a diet full of fatty fish and
grass-fed dairy products, you’re not getting enough vitamin D from your diet,
so time spent in the sun is crucial. Do not stay inside all day and coat
yourself in toxic sunscreen before you walk out of the door. Many people today
are deficient in vitamin D because they are constantly slathering on sunscreen,
fearful of media warnings that the sun causes skin cancer. Have you noticed
that the more sunscreen we use the more skin cancer we observe? I believe the
sun can actually prevent skin cancer and other diseases. Don’t be fooled: we
absolutely need sunlight to be healthy. Shea butter and coconut oil contain SPF
and are good natural alternatives to toxic sunscreen, and wearing hats and
protective clothing is important as well.
If you can’t get enough sunlight, consider taking a
high-quality vitamin D supplement. An effective supplement is balanced with
other fat soluble vitamins. If you are taking a vitamin D supplement that does
not contain vitamins A, K2, and E you will eventually create a functional
deficiency. Do not waste money on a supplement that does not contain other fat
soluble vitamins at the proper ratios for absorption. I take a vitamin D
supplement made by Systemic Formulas, which can be taken in pill or liquid form
(for those with absorption issues). The average person can take 5,000 to 6,000
units daily, but those who are severely deficient may need more. Periodically,
I recommend taking a high dose once or twice a week, up to 100,000 units, but
dosage is at your health practitioner’s discretion.
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