Jan 28, 2010

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is one of the oldest hormones, having been produced by life forms for over 750 million years. Phytoplankton, zooplankton, and most plants and animals that are exposed to sunlight have the capacity to make vitamin D. In humans, vitamin D is critically important for the development, growth, and maintenance of a healthy body, from birth until death.

97 percent of Canadians are vitamin D deficient at some point in the year‚ according to University of Calgary research. Worldwide‚ an estimated 1 billion people don’t get enough of "the sunshine vitamin".   Deficiency in vitamin D increases the risk of a host of illnesses including cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic low back pain, and more.

As we do not get enough exposure to the sun, supplementing with a good quality vitamin D3 supplement is highly recommended.  The best form is D3 (not D2), in gel form (not tablet) and the recommended dosage is much higher than it used to be ... anywhere between 2,000 IU and 6,000 IU per day!

Read the following articles for more information:

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