Vitamin D, often hailed as the sunshine vitamin, plays a crucial role in our health by helping the body absorb calcium and promoting bone and teeth strength. However, despite its importance, Vitamin D deficiency is widespread, contributing to various health issues ranging from osteoporosis to type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D functions like a pro-hormone produced when our skin is exposed to sunlight. It's vital for bone health and immune function and can even reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 15%.
Challenges in Vitamin D Synthesis
Achieving adequate Vitamin D levels is more complex than basking in the sun. The vitamin breaks down quickly; during winter in northern latitudes, UVB rays are often too weak to contribute to its production.
Expert Insight
Alexandra shares, "Vitamin D deficiency is linked to multiple health concerns, including cancer and depression. Unfortunately, deficiency rates are high in the U.S., partly due to limited dietary sources and the increasing prevalence of obesity."
Dietary Sources of Vitamin D
Foods High in Vitamin D:
Fatty fish like salmon and tuna
Fortified milk and orange juices
Mushrooms
Eggs
Cod Liver Oil
Alexandra's Advice on Supplements
"While foods and over-the-counter supplements can help, they often fail to correct deficiencies. Many individuals need prescription-strength doses of Vitamin D."
The Top 5 Benefits of Vitamin D
Bone and Dental Health: Essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Immune System Support: Plays a key role in immune health and may prevent certain illnesses.
Regulation of Insulin: Helps manage diabetes by influencing insulin levels.
Supports Cardiovascular Health: Vital for lung function and heart health.
Cancer Prevention: Influences genes linked to cancer development.
Guidelines for Vitamin D Supplementation
Infants (0-12 months): 400 IU (10 mcg)
Children (1-18 years) and Adults (up to age 70): 600 IU (15 mcg)
Older Adults (over 70): 800 IU (20 mcg)
Pregnant or Lactating Women: 600 IU (15 mcg)
Caution! Exceeding 4000 IU daily can be harmful and lead to adverse effects.
Recognizing a Vitamin D Deficiency
Depression or anxiety
Low bone density or fractures
Fatigue and weakness
Muscle cramps and joint pain
Mood swings and irritability
Getting Tested
A simple blood test can determine your Vitamin D levels and help you take steps to address any deficiency.
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This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your personal health and treatment options.
Kick off the new year – and National Blood Donor Month – with the Blood Bank team at Renown Health!
Think about the common word “lifeblood.” Many use the word to describe something essential that sustains something else, and without it, that thing cannot survive or exist. Now, why does “blood” come into play with this word? Well, blood itself is an essential part of our bodies that sustains our lives – and like you could probably assume, without it, we could not survive.
This especially comes into play in the healthcare environment. When a patient needs blood, they need it quickly, especially when emergencies rush into northern Nevada’s only level II trauma center, right here at Renown Regional Medical Center. And they don’t only need blood; they need the right type, administered in the right way, at the right time.
That’s precisely where the Blood Bank team at Renown Regional Medical Center comes into play. As a key part of the Transfusion Services department, the Blood Bank manages blood inventories for all 650 beds of the hospital and serves as an essential partner to clinical teams throughout our health system.
Renown Pathology is growing and features expertise in numerous subspecialty areas, allowing patients and referring clinicians to feel confident in every diagnosis and staging.
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisper, it's not just pumpkin spice lattes that should be on your mind – it's also time to think about your health. Flu season is here, and we at Renown Health encourage you to do your part in keeping your community safe. How can you protect everyone around you? Through something called herd immunity.
