Is there a vitamin D deficiency epidemic? According to a recent Huffington Post article there appears to be a significant problem that should not be ignored. The problem with the vitamin D epidemic according to the article is that few people recognize that the problem exists.
Power of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a critical element that comes from the sun. In spite of its designation, the component is not a vitamin. It is a hormone that interacts with over 2,000 genes present in the human body. The author of the article writes that in his 30 years experience as a board certified internist, he has never seen a supplement that affects the body as profoundly as vitamin D.
Problems with Vitamin D Deficiencies
A vitamin D deficiency can lead to significant health problems. The lack of this hormone is associated with:
• Seventeen different types of cancer
• Autoimmune disease
• Osteoporosis
• Chronic pain
• Asthmatic conditions
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Autism
The vitamin D hormone can be an effective tool in keeping many illnesses at bay and its recent association with autism and related pervasive developmental disorders has many in the autism community taking notice.
Vitamin D and the Autism Epidemic
Some assert that there is no autism epidemic but evidence points to the possibility of one, especially considering that the estimated 1 in 150 births is now estimated to be 1 in 67 by some groups. The prevalence of autistic disorders has the medical and psychological communities reeling.
Some claim that the environment causes autism. The notion stems from the simple fact that genetic abnormalities do not turn into epidemics. However, a mass number of vitamin D deficiencies may explain the explosion of cases of autism in recent years.
Prevalance of Vitamin D Deficiency
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is believed by some to be in the billions. An estimated thirty to fifty percent of Americans have vitamin D deficiencies but some physicians claim that the numbers are significantly higher.
Addressing the Problem
The first step is to have an evaluation to determine whether you have a vitamin D deficiency or not. Home vitamin D testing kits are available and a physician can test for the vitamin with a simple blood test. If the results show a deficiency, it is necessary to follow through by taking supplements to ensure that enough of the hormone is ingested.
Getting enough vitamin D is extremely difficult because the hormone is not present in many foods. It is necessary to take a reliable supplement in order to get a sufficient amount of the vitamin on a daily basis. It is extremely important to make sure that the company that sells the supplement is reliable.
Vitamin D is also effective in elevating mood, according to some studies. People who suffer from seasonal depression or seasonal mood disorders should have their vitamin D levels tested.
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