Doctor: “Your Vit. D
levels are low.”
Me: “I live in
Oregon.”
Doctor: (chuckle) “I
know. But we need to get them higher.”
Me: “I’ll move to Hawaii. Will insurance pay for that?”
Doctor: (chuckle) “No.”
Me: “Dang.”
Doctor: “Increase your Vit. D intake to 4,000 I.U’s per
day. And ideally get 10 minutes of natural
sunlight per day.”
What I was thinking:
“Seriously? Do you LIVE in
Oregon?”
What I said: “Okay.”
And so goes the most recent conversation I’ve had with my doctor
who was brilliant enough to test my Vitamin D levels.
And for good reason.
I’m over 60 and…yes...post-menopausal.
The older you get, the less Vitamin D you produce. Ugh. Add to that, my
genetic history of osteoporosis from my mom and grandma – both having had
multiple, spontaneous fractures after the age of 60. And, hey, I live in Oregon, land of rain,
where you own multiple stylish umbrellas, not sunglasses. Put all of that together with a job that
keeps me at the computer much of the day, and yeah…I’m definitely high risk for
Vitamin D deficiency. No surprises there!
Vitamin D deficiency is often overlooked because the early
symptoms are usually subtle. But here’s
the deal. If you’re over 40, spend much
of your time indoors, live in a low sun region, and aren’t really big on eating
oily fish and dairy products…you’re most likely deficient. I can’t say you ARE deficient. But since 100 million Americans are estimated
to have Vitamin D deficiency…the likelihood is pretty great.
And before you Florida, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Africa
girls dismiss the idea of Vitamin D deficiency and pity the rest of us living
in web footed regions…you’re also at risk.
Just because you have sunshine on your shoulders more often doesn’t mean
you’re getting the recommended 10 minutes a day on your non-sunscreened skin
that is recommended to prevent…rickets.
In fact, one of the problems with a technology based culture is that
more and more people are staying inside!
And more and more of us are wearing sunscreen on exposed body parts in
obedience to dermatologists who have scared us silly with threats of skin
cancer and…heaven forbid…wrinkles and age spots! It’s a difficult dilemma. But one that needs to be considered.
Because here are some of the problems associated with
Vitamin D deficiency:
1 *Osteoporosis – this condition of brittle bones
affects over 10 million adults over the age of 50
2 *Seasonal Affective Disorder – this mood related,
low serotonin depression occurs commonly when people are deprived of natural
light, in particular sunlight. Just
think how much happier your mood is when the sun shines!
3 *Higher risk of cancer – research shows a link
between cancer risk and low Vitamin D levels.
4 *Higher risk of cardiovascular disease and events
– there is a higher prevalence of stroke and heart attack in those with Vitamin
D deficiency.
5 * Higher risk of diabetes
6 *Higher risk of autoimmune diseases
There’s more. Vitamin
D therapy has shown to increase immunity to viruses! You get the idea. We're just now realizing how important this Vitamin is. Decades ago, no one expected Vitamin D
deficiency to cause anything but rickets – a skeletal disease that pretty much
prompted Vitamin D fortified milk and cereal.
It used to be a common idea that “old women” just broke hips. Because they were old. Boo! Doctors
used to recommend increased calcium supplementation to protect our aging bones
- except that women were still suffering from osteopenia and full blown
osteoporosis in spite of it. Turns out
Vitamin D is what’s necessary for the body to even absorb the calcium.
Bottom line. Ask your
doctor to check your Vitamin D level. Please. Every woman over 40 should have this test. It is a simple blood test. And it will yield a volume of information
about what’s going on in your body and help you make a plan for an active,
dynamic, fully productive future.
For myself, finding out that I was minimally deficient tells me that although I’m already doing a lot
to protect my bones from a genetic tendency towards osteoporosis – like exercising
regularly, taking a Vitamin D supplement, taking natural plant-based hormones…I
can do more. Like break away from the
computer and get myself outside for at
least 10 minutes on those rare but blessed sunny days in Oregon – and yes…like
the doctor ordered, increase my Vitamin D3 drops (make sure you’re taking
Vitamin D3) for the extra edge.
Here are the Vitamin D3 drops that I take and are approved by
my doctor:
Everything else you need to know about Vitamin D is
contained in this EXCELLENT video by Dr. Oz - so please take the time to watch!
And here’s a little moment of sunshine happiness for you. Enjoy!
Cheryl
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