Why Does Vitamin D Deficiency Seem to be the New Norm?

• Change in Diet
• Change in Chemicals sprayed on our Food
• Diet & Chemical Effect on our Gut (Vitamin D Deficiency)

Why was vitamin d deficiency not a problem in Grandma’s day?…

People used to get their vitamin d from foods such as lard, fish and whole milk with natural vitamin d already in the foods. Lard with vitamin d is more difficult to find. Less people drink full fat milk with vitamin d, and even less eat fish, especially cod liver. There is not enough natural occurring vitamin d in cod liver oil supplements for most people who are deficient in lab results. So if low in d, you probably still need to supplement as well and need to check with your doctor on this before doing so anyway.

I remember my dad used to make me eat a cod fish oil capsule every week. When I asked him “Why?” he just said, “‘Cuz it’s good for you.” I don’t think he really knew why. He took it because his grandma told him to. Being Swedish, she probably knew it was necessary to eat oil from the the liver of cod. Swedes are low in vitamin d, too unless they supplement with food or supplements due to also being far from the equator. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, your body makes vitamin d, BUT…

that only applies if you are close enough to the equator. For those of us who live in the northern latitude of the world (like Minnesota) exposure of arms and legs for 15-20 minutes per day should suffice during the summer; during the fall and winter months you will most likely have to take a vitamin d supplement if your labs reveal deficiency. This is because you could lay out naked all day in the sun during the winter without it affecting your vitamin d synthesis. We are just not at the correct angle in relation to the sun here at that time. That is why some call vitamin d the “Sunshine vitamin.”  Check with your doctor to be sure vitamin d supplementation is right for you before doing so.

 

There is also the thing about The Pesticides used here in the U.S.A. since the 1970’s.

This insecticide (outlawed in much of Europe) blocks vitamin D absorption in the gut. Yikes!

 

Summary of Vitamin D Deficiency

 

• Heart Health
• Bone Health
• Worldwide Problem
• Energy and/or Mood
• Checked with Blood Test

 

So, look out for Low Mood and Low Energy-it Could be Low Vitamin D. Ask your doctor to order a blood test to screen for vitamin d deficiency. If it is not low, then you have ruled out one possible cause to your low energy and mood. Note: many doctors in private practice (like my primary care doc) actually like to see vitamin d level higher than what conventional family medicine doctors deem as “healthy range” levels of vitamin d. Why? This is because vitamin d level can be high enough to keep you alive, though may not be “optimal” for your health as an individual.

If you take blood thinners like Coumadin® avoid taking the liquid vitamin d with k2 vitamin as vitamin k can interfere with the effects of this drug. Otherwise vitamin k is added because it can help with vitamin d absorption. Always check with your doctor first before adding anything to your supplements regimen.

Naturopathic doctors look at this way as well. Like acupuncturists, we look at medicine from a prevention perspective. It is a different medical paradigm than the Western one which is focused on treating a disease. Both types of medicine are needed and each has its time and place, for sure. 

Low Mood or Energy? Low Libido or Imbalanced Hormones? Aleesha Treats Mood, Energy, Hot flashes and Fertility, too.

Go online to Schedule at: AnokaAcupuncture.com

 

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Aleesha D Ackerman, LAc

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance, low energy and for Cosmetic Acupuncture for wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and improvement in overall skin tone . Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

 

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture say they feel cared for and listened to. They are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

 

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 229 Jackson Street just off Highway 10 with free parking.

Get in and Feel Better, Move Forward!

 

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

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