Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many brain disorders including:
Other conditions linked with low vitamin D levels include:
In fact, recently a group of researchers from Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford and seven other institutions published a study in the BMJ that concluded that low vitamin D levels were responsible for almost 13% of U.S. deaths. That falls between the 20% of U.S. deaths associated with smoking and 9% for alcohol consumption. They also determined that vitamin D3 supplementation reduced the risk of premature death by 11%. They estimated that almost 70% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D, which they defined as having vitamin D levels of less than 30 ng/ml. Although the lab normal ranges are typically 30 to 100 ng/ml, the optimal range of Vitamin D 25-OH is considered to be 50-80 ng/ml by the Vitamin D Council and other authorities.
The primary source of vitamin D is from the sun, as it is not readily available in our diet in sufficient amounts. So why even in sunny Florida are so many people low in vitamin D? First, sunscreen can prevent the absorption of vitamin D. Second, most of us don’t have the time to get a daily 10-15 minute dose of mid-day sun on most of the body. Third, the darker someone’s complexion is, the less vitamin D they produce from the sun. Most teenagers and adults need to take 2000 to 5000 IU Vitamin D3 per day and most infants and children need 1000-2000 IU per day depending on their age and weight.
Although absorption of Vitamin D supplements can be an issue, my office carries several professional brands of Vitamin D emulsions which are bio-available. My Full Script Dispensary carries them too which you can browse and purchase with free shipping of $50 or more.