Vitamin D

Sunshine rocks!

I’ve seen a lot of bloggers talking about the letter D lately, and they weren’t sponsored by Sesame Street. They were speaking of vitamin D (you know, that stuff we get from sunshine and animal fats – both of which we are told to avoid)  and it’s important role in the body. Or more specifically, the deficiency that many of us unknowingly have. I’ll admit it’s not something I’ve even thought about, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised should I find out I had a deficiency in this area. It would probably explain a few things I deal with on a regular basis.

I don’t think I could explain it any better than these bloggers have, so I’m just going to give you a few links to check into. Think of this as your homework for today.

Dr. Briffa has stalked about the subject extensively:

My vitamin D results are in (take 2)

Low vitamin D levels linked with increased risk type 1 diabetes (again)

Vitamin D associated with significantly reduced risk of death from stroke

Vitamin D supplementation found to improve insulin sensitivity

More evidence links higher vitamin D levels with a reduced risk of death

Recent studies remind us of vitamin D’s cancer-protective potential

Vitamin D found to enhance muscle strength in elderly

Light appears to have powerful painkilling properties for some people

More evidence that vitamin D requirements are much, much higher than traditionally recommended amounts

Sunlight exposure linked with improved brain function

Lower vitamin D levels linked to a higher risk of death

More evidence links vitamin D with body weight

(I could post many more, but I’ll stop here for now.)

Dr. Eades also has touched on this subject:

Vitamin D-bate D-bunked

Vitamin D and influenza

Dr. Jonny Bowden’s thoughts on vitamin D.

Tom Naughton:

Vitamin D is DINOMIT against cancer

More on Viatmin D

And to change things up a bit, here’s a new blog from a good friend of mine who is currently trying to lose weight (not necessarily low-carb, but she’s still trying) and is currently being treated for low vitamin D levels. I’ll be keeping an eye on her progress to see what her results are with her treatment. I encourage you to stop in and give her a word of encouragement as well. No matter what methods we use, weight loss is hard work and we all could use support.

Baby Steps to a Fitter, Healthier Me