Vitamin D is often referred to as the “Sunshine Vitamin” due to the fact that it
is manufactured in the skin with UV rays from the sun. Here in the Pacific Northwest we see such a
small amount of sunlight that most people are at least somewhat, if not
extremely, deficient in vitamin D. Most milk is fortified with vitamin D, but
many people do not drink milk, either due to a dairy sensitivity or possibly
because their natural medicine practitioner told them they are too “damp” to
tolerate much dairy. Vitamin D is easy to supplement, and is even manufactured
in a simple one-a-day chewable.
What does a Vitamin D deficiency look like?
The
most obvious sign of deficiency is Rickets, or a bowing of the legs. This level
of deficiency is uncommon, but more common problems linked at least in part to
vitamin D deficiency include:
Spinal
curvature, osteomalacia or osteoporosis
Sciatic Pain
Muscle
Spasms, tingling or weakness
Poor
tooth structure or Periodontal Disease
Nearsightedness or cataracts
Hearing loss
Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder
Chronic Pain
High
Blood Pressure and Coronary Disease
Schizophrenia
Cancer
Autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis
What are the sources of Vitamin D?
15
minutes of sunshine a day without the use of sunscreen
Animal
products such as liver, butter, egg yolks, and fortified milk
Fish
liver oils or oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and
herring
Veggies such as mushrooms and green leafies
Supplements
