By: Chiro One Wellness Centers

You’ve probably heard about the immunity benefits of Vitamin C – but it’s time to move one letter down the alphabet. It turns out that Vitamin D may be the more critical vitamin when it comes to fighting off colds and flus. An important vitamin that also promotes anti-aging, the ‘sunshine vitamin’ is a nutrient generated by the body through exposure to the rays of the sun.

How can I get vitamin D?
The best form of Vitamin D comes from natural sunlight. A good rule of thumb is that unless you are getting 30 minutes of sunlight exposure on large parts of your body every day, you will almost certainly be deficient in Vitamin D. Many people live in a climate where during most of the year we have very little sun exposure. That is when supplementation becomes even more important. When supplementing, always choose Vitamin D3 cholecalciferol, not vitamin D2 ergocalciferol which the body has to convert to vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is sold in either a liquid form (where it is suspended in a substance like olive oil) or in pill form. Some foods in the American diet contain small amounts of Vitamin D. These foods include:

• Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna
• Beef liver, egg yolks and some mushrooms
• Vitamin D is added to many breakfast cereals and to some brands of orange juice, yogurt, and soy beverages. Check the labels for more information.

How does vitamin D affect health?
In addition to reducing the risk of bone loss and fractures as people get older, some studies suggest that Vitamin D may protect against cancers of the colon, prostate, and breast. Vitamin D is important in maintaining strong teeth, proper parathyroid function, and enhancing the body’s immune system. Vitamin D is also being studied for its possible role in the prevention and treatment of low-back and joint pain, bronchitis, colds, diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and other conditions.

What precautions do I need to take with vitamin D?
When amounts of Vitamin D in the blood become too high, it can lead to toxicity—nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness and weight loss cautions Chiro One Wellness Centers. In addition, by raising blood levels of calcium, too much Vitamin D can cause confusion, disorientation and problems with heart rhythm. Excess Vitamin D can also damage the kidneys. Excessive sun exposure doesn’t cause Vitamin D poisoning because the body limits the amount of this vitamin it produces. Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements and medicines you take. For more information about Chiro One Wellness, visit www.ChiroOne.net.