Vitamin D deficiency is linked with a wide range of diseases.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked with a wide range of diseases.
The latest data links Vitamin D deficiency with a wide
range of diseases.

Vitamin D deficiencies are very common, particularly in
northern climates. Lack of sunshine, wearing clothing, and
use of sunscreens inhibits the natural creation of Vitamin
D in the skin.

Do you know what your Vitamin D levels are?

Having optimal Vitamin D levels is a simple and inexpensive
health change that can affect a:

78% reduction in type1 diabetes in children

33% reduction in type 2 diabetes

72% reduction in number of falls in the elderly

42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women

And those without adequate Vitamin D levels are at risk for:

200% increase in type 1 diabetes in children

30-50% more cancers

Optimal levels of Vitamin D result in a 77% reduction in
cancer incidence.

Life Extension Foundation Research shows that achieving
adequate Vitamin D levels in the US population could
prevent as many as ¾ of all cancers in as little as four
years.

Research also reveals that 275,00 American lives could be
saved each year if a nationwide program to get adequate
vitamin D levels was implemented.

Low levels of Vitamin D have been identified as a "health
crisis emergency". Everything should be done to ensure that
everyone achieves optimal Vitamin D status.

"Because of convincing evidence of benefit and the strong
evidence of safety, we urge those who have the ability to
support public health - the media, vitamin manufacturers,
and policy makers - to undertake new initiatives that will
have a realistic chance of making a difference in terms of
vitamin D nutrition." 
--American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition

A review article in the July 19, 2007 edition of the New
England Journal of Medicine documents that those with less
than optimal Vitamin D levels have increase incidence of:
Autoimmune diseases Osteoarthritis Depression Hypertension
Pulmonary disorders Schizophrenia Cardiovascular diseases

In addition, low levels of Vitamin D have been related to:

Osteoporosis

Muscle weakness

Hypothyroidism

Non-specific musculoskeletal pain

Chronic low back pain

Fibromyalgia

Stroke

Between 40-100% of elderly people in the US and Europe have
insufficient or deficient levels of Vitamin D. Even
children and young adults who supplement with 400 IU of
Vitamin D and consume Vitamin D rich foods can be low in
Vitamin D.

And don't count on sunlight exposure to increase your
vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D levels can remain low in some people despite
abundant exposure to sunlight. 51% of individuals who had a
mean of 11.1 hours per week of total body skin exposure
with no sunscreen used still remained low in Vitamin D
levels. Tanned skin loses its ability to manufacture
Vitamin D and as we age our ability to convert vitamin D in
the skin becomes further diminished.

Your Vitamin D status can be assessed by having your blood
tested. Vitamin D testing identifies Vitamin D deficiency
as a potential cause of numerous health problems. Further
testing monitors Vitamin D levels during supplementation to
ensure adequate levels are achieved and protects against
possible overdosing and toxicity.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the
"minimum Vitamin D blood levels needed to reduce disease
risk is 30 ng/mL" and that it is rare for members of the US
population to achieve this.

To account for the significant individual dose response
variability, an optimal strategy is to achieve a serum
vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) level of around 60 ng/mL.
Depending on your current vitamin D levels you may need to
take up to 5,000 IU or more of Vitamin D to achieve this
optimal disease prevention level.

The good news is that Vitamin D is inexpensive. That's why
testing for Vitamin D will never be popularized by the
media - because there is no expensive drug to push.

It is important to remember that it is the amount of
Vitamin D in the blood that determines disease risk - not
the amount of Vitamin D consumed. Excess fat in the body
can lock up Vitamin D and prevent utilization.

Until recently, a test for Vitamin D levels meant a trip to
the doctor and a blood draw. But now, a few drops of blood
from a quick and nearly painless prick of the finger with a
few spots of blood placed on special collection paper are
all that is needed. This can be done at home. It's
convenient, quick and suitable for all populations from
pediatric to the elderly.

Your blood spot sample is sent to an independent laboratory
for analysis. You'll have accurate results in just a few
days.

Blood spot testing ensures that you achieve optimal levels
of Vitamin D and avoid the multiple risks associated with
low Vitamin D levels.

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Mary Ann Copson is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist;
Certified Holistic Health Practitioner; Brain Chemistry
Profile Clinician; and a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle
Coach. Find the Vitamin D Blood Spot Test and more at
http://evenstaronline.com/FunctionalTests