What Vitamin D means for immunity and health resilience and the consequences of Vitamin D deficiency and Chronic Illness
Recently, the importance of Vitamin D Status has aroused considerable interest for several reasons due to the high prevalence of chronic disease in our population.
Discovery of loads more Vitamin D Receptors than first thought…
Epidemiological studies have shown a widespread deficiency of Vitamin D in all age groups, and the recent finding that many of our organs and tissue contain Vitamin D receptors. This discovery signifies the clinical and biological importance of monitoring Vitamin D levels, vital for optimal health outcomes.
Not only for bone health…
Vitamin D is considered the ‘go to’ supplement for ‘healthy bones’, improving calcium absorption. In addition, the recent findings suggest the equally important functions of vitamin D in many other functions:
Cardiovascular Heath-heart muscle, blood vessels and circulatory system is rich in vitamin D receptors; deficiency has found found to cause high blood pressure, low blood flow, heart attach and stroke.
Regulating Blood Glucose Levels-Vitamin D receptors are found in the pancreas insulin-producing cells in the liver, fat and muscle tissue; deficiency is associated with pre-diabetes, Type-2 diabetes and fatty liver diseases (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Protects Brain Cells-critical role in nerve-cell growth and variation, nerve transmission and the ‘plasticity’ of neural connections, vital for normal learning and memory; deficiency is associated with cognitive decline and memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease.
Immunity-regulates the signalling pathways of inflammation, tumour growth and immune system surveillance for cancer, specifically the epithelial cells of the skin, breast, prostate and colon; systemic inflammatory diseases such as Autoimmune Diseases; deficiency found in cancer, Type-1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Psoriasis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Respiratory System-enhances innate immunity by increasing the ‘microbial killing capacity’ of our white blood cells, while increasing the amount of vitamin D receptors overall; deficiency is often associated with colds/influenza, pneumonia, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Let’s not forget Vitamin D impact on healthy bones…
Bone Health-important for calcium absorption, bone repair and maintaining bone density after menopause; deficiency is often associated with limited sun exposure, bone pain, chronic back pain and osteoporosis.
Elderly more prone to chronic illness because of deficiency…
In the elderly, vitamin D deficiency is very significant because of its effect on many functions and organ systems, such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular systems, as well as kidney function. Often involved in various diseases and pathological conditions including diabetes, cancer and cognitive decline.
Diet isn’t enough….
There is often a misconception that a healthy diet contains adequate amounts of vitamin D. In response, the commercial food industry introduced fortified products with additional vitamin D content, and featured in some commercially produced breads and dairy products.
The best source is…
We get 70-80% of our vitamin D requirement from the UV-B rays directly from sun exposure on our bare skin. However, it is important to note that the seasons and geographical latitudes (of 30 degrees and below) delivers the best quality UV-B sunlight available to us.
Unfortunately or us, Melbourne’s latitude is 37 degrees, and it is often challenging to maintain optimal vitamin D levels and our immune health during each year from mid Autumn-Winter-mid Spring. Therefore, the length of sun exposure at this time of year is unlimited and additional supplementation is often required to provide extra immune support.
In late-Spring, Summer and into early-Autumn we are encouraged to replenish and restore our vitamin D reserves in readiness for the next seasonal cycle, all designed to maintain our innate immunity and vitality year round.
Careful consideration must be made when spending time in the sun during the summer months for obvious reasons, and it is advised to avoid exposure between the hours of 11am-3pm when the sun is at its strongest (times have been adjusted to incorporate daylight saving in Melbourne). Limiting exposure time to 10-15mins maximum per session during this time is advisable.
Have we gone too far with the ‘Sun Smart’ campaign…and not enough time is spent in the sun??
In recent decades our limited exposure to natural daylight has potentially contributed to an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in our population. In hindsight the ‘Sun Smart’ campaign designed to limited direct sun exposure, while highlighting the dangers of skin cancer…but, at what cost to our health overall..
Furthermore, we are spending extended periods of time indoors, longer hours in front of our screens and electronic devices, and less time enjoying outdoor activities and/or exercise in natural daylight and sunshine.
When was the last time you were tested?
If you suspect that you have a vitamin D deficiency, or simply want to know more about improving your health and immunity, please feel free to book a consultation with Annette.
Pathology testing available…
As a Clinical Nutritionist, Annette has full access to comprehensive pathology lab services, with payment of lab services required in full at time of booking.
Sample collection can be arranged at a location convenient to you. Results will be made available in readiness for your initial consultation.
What Vitamin D means for immunity and health resilience and the consequences of Vitamin D deficiency and Chronic Illness
Recently, the importance of Vitamin D Status has aroused considerable interest for several reasons due to the high prevalence of chronic disease in our population.
Discovery of loads more Vitamin D Receptors than first thought…
Epidemiological studies have shown a widespread deficiency of Vitamin D in all age groups, and the recent finding that many of our organs and tissue contain Vitamin D receptors. This discovery signifies the clinical and biological importance of monitoring Vitamin D levels, vital for optimal health outcomes.
Not only for bone health…
Vitamin D is considered the ‘go to’ supplement for ‘healthy bones’, improving calcium absorption. In addition, the recent findings suggest the equally important functions of vitamin D in many other functions:
Cardiovascular Heath-heart muscle, blood vessels and circulatory system is rich in vitamin D receptors; deficiency has found found to cause high blood pressure, low blood flow, heart attach and stroke.
Regulating Blood Glucose Levels-Vitamin D receptors are found in the pancreas insulin-producing cells in the liver, fat and muscle tissue; deficiency is associated with pre-diabetes, Type-2 diabetes and fatty liver diseases (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Protects Brain Cells-critical role in nerve-cell growth and variation, nerve transmission and the ‘plasticity’ of neural connections, vital for normal learning and memory; deficiency is associated with cognitive decline and memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease.
Immunity-regulates the signalling pathways of inflammation, tumour growth and immune system surveillance for cancer, specifically the epithelial cells of the skin, breast, prostate and colon; systemic inflammatory diseases such as Autoimmune Diseases; deficiency found in cancer, Type-1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Psoriasis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Respiratory System-enhances innate immunity by increasing the ‘microbial killing capacity’ of our white blood cells, while increasing the amount of vitamin D receptors overall; deficiency is often associated with colds/influenza, pneumonia, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Let’s not forget Vitamin D impact on healthy bones…
Bone Health-important for calcium absorption, bone repair and maintaining bone density after menopause; deficiency is often associated with limited sun exposure, bone pain, chronic back pain and osteoporosis.
Elderly more prone to chronic illness because of deficiency…
In the elderly, vitamin D deficiency is very significant because of its effect on many functions and organ systems, such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular systems, as well as kidney function. Often involved in various diseases and pathological conditions including diabetes, cancer and cognitive decline.
Diet isn’t enough….
There is often a misconception that a healthy diet contains adequate amounts of vitamin D. In response, the commercial food industry introduced fortified products with additional vitamin D content, and featured in some commercially produced breads and dairy products.
The best source is…
We get 70-80% of our vitamin D requirement from the UV-B rays directly from sun exposure on our bare skin. However, it is important to note that the seasons and geographical latitudes (of 30 degrees and below) delivers the best quality UV-B sunlight available to us.
Unfortunately or us, Melbourne’s latitude is 37 degrees, and it is often challenging to maintain optimal vitamin D levels and our immune health during each year from mid Autumn-Winter-mid Spring. Therefore, the length of sun exposure at this time of year is unlimited and additional supplementation is often required to provide extra immune support.
In late-Spring, Summer and into early-Autumn we are encouraged to replenish and restore our vitamin D reserves in readiness for the next seasonal cycle, all designed to maintain our innate immunity and vitality year round.
Careful consideration must be made when spending time in the sun during the summer months for obvious reasons, and it is advised to avoid exposure between the hours of 11am-3pm when the sun is at its strongest (times have been adjusted to incorporate daylight saving in Melbourne). Limiting exposure time to 10-15mins maximum per session during this time is advisable.
Have we gone too far with the ‘Sun Smart’ campaign…and not enough time is spent in the sun??
In recent decades our limited exposure to natural daylight has potentially contributed to an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in our population. In hindsight the ‘Sun Smart’ campaign designed to limited direct sun exposure, while highlighting the dangers of skin cancer…but, at what cost to our health overall..
Furthermore, we are spending extended periods of time indoors, longer hours in front of our screens and electronic devices, and less time enjoying outdoor activities and/or exercise in natural daylight and sunshine.
When was the last time you were tested?
If you suspect that you have a vitamin D deficiency, or simply want to know more about improving your health and immunity, please feel free to book a consultation with Annette.
Pathology testing available…
As a Clinical Nutritionist, Annette has full access to comprehensive pathology lab services, with payment of lab services required in full at time of booking.
Sample collection can be arranged at a location convenient to you. Results will be made available in readiness for your initial consultation.