The Dragontree

In Part One I discussed what vitamin D was and how it’s produced in the body. In Part Two, I’d like to talk about some of it’s sources, health benefits, and appropriate levels for your body.

Vitamin D is available in some food sources such as fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs and meat. In some countries, staple foods such as milk, flour and margarine are artificially fortified with Vitamin D. However, these are not always great sources of the vitamin. The “D3” form is what the body utilizes best, yet the “D2” form, significantly less usable, is often what is used to fortify foods. Check your labels. It is also available as a supplement, either in pill or liquid form.

“Vitamin D circulates throughout the body and has the ability to land, and affect the cells, tissues, and organs that receive the Vitamin D. It affects cell death and proliferation, insulin production, and even the immune system,” says Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., director of the vitamin D, skin, and bone research laboratory at the Boston University Medical Center. This means, low vitamin D will result in your body working far below its potential.

Although it’s possible to get the currently recommended amounts of Vitamin D from diet, individuals who are not consuming vitamin D-rich or fortified foods, or getting regular sun exposure may want to consult a health care provider about taking a supplement. According to the National Institutes of Health, the following guidelines are used: Ages 0-12 months – 400 IU, 1-70 years – 600 IU, 70 or older – 800 IU. However, people thrive on much higher doses of vitamin D than previously thought. Most of us don’t get enough sun to synthesize adequate amounts.  If you’re relying on getting Vitamin D through sunlight, it must come from brght sun, and higher latitudes such as ours, it’s rarely strong enough to induce synthesis in our skin.  Also, the Vitamin D Council’s web site –http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ – is a trove of useful information. They recommend roughly 5000 IUs a day for adults (though it varies a bit from person to person).  I personally take about 2-4,000 units a day, especially during winter and I’ve noticed a remarkable difference from last years winter blues.

The Dragontree is featuring Genestra D-Mulsion Vitamin D as our Supplement of the Month.  D-Mulsion is the most absorbable and most economical form of vitamin D on the market. Each bottle contains over 800 drops, delivering 1000 units of vitamin D per drop. Order online and get 20% off. Use code VITD when ordering. Expires 2/1/11. Also available at both Dragontree locations.

– Toni Stolze, Spa Director at Thurman