As many of you know I do promote Vitamin D for our bodies.
I have posted here many times about it, have a look at some of my old posts and threads. I try and give an overview of the latest research/ knowledge about this really important subject. Many people think Oh well .... its just a vitamin everybody keeps on about it ...! Not realising that Vit D is actually a vitally important hormone, lack of it means you are short of an essential nurtrient which allows your body to function as it should.
Vitamin D has only 1 known effect. When it becomes converted (in our bodies by 2 hydroxy groups - to the hormone form ) it allows our cells to read genes in our DNA. At least 2000 genes are affected , that is 10% of all your chromosomes. Lack of vitamin D can lead to a reduced response of those cells to normal signal like body hormone/chemical signals.
For instance sallycinnamum , Vit D affects your mood , .... Why ? Well, vitamin D turns on the gene that converts an amino acid called Tryptophan into Serotonin, in the brain , that's why , when you take anti -depressants which boost your serotonin levels ( SSRIs) you feel less anxious less depressed etc. Vitamin D naturally allows you to make more serotonin and you feel better. Now that is just one gene. Imagine what bad effects could occur if 2000 different genes for hundreds of body functions can't get enough Vit D. Of course, if you have some Vit D those functions won't just stop , but they will be compromised to a greater or lesser extent. A situation like that is a recipe for long latency disease. Such as cancer, cardio vascular , MS, osteoporosis and so on.
Vitamin D enables your body ( or more precisely your cells ) to operate at their full potential. You must have enough Vitamin D available to those cells.
Throught our evolutionary history , we have had levels of approx 120 to 140 in our blood. but now , because we avoid sources of vitamin D , we have levels about 1/3 to 1/2 of that , ( in this country - UK )
sistersofpercy It is great that you are now taking some , as supplementation , or sunbeds are really the only way us Northern people can get enough. Summer sunshine ( without burning ) is great and to be encouraged, BUT you can only make Vitamin D in your skin between about 10 and 3 in the summer months. In the winter months Nov - Mar you cannot make any , UVB is absent from sunlight.
SPF suncream of factor 15 or more stops your skin making vitamin D, even in the summer, Leave it off for 20 mins at least. !
Hope all this helps , sorry to go on about it ....but it is desparately important. For instance many many kids are short of vitamin D , leading to infections which could be fought off by their
own immune system. Many auto immune diseases are linked to Vit D deficiency. Even the government have guidlines to top up kids, but it seems only about 1 in 7 are receiving their recommended amount.
In order for most adults to get their levels up to a more acceptable level you will need at least 1000 , and more than likely 2000 to 3000 IU per day. If you have measured your level, then you can work it out. A dose of 1000 IU , will , in general, raise your level by 25 nmol/l.