This is a timely study that outlines an additional benefit of Vitamin D. If you see me in my office you will know that vitamin D is always checked as part of my MDVIP comprehensive physical examination. I have long said that Vitamin D is actually a hormone produced by the body from sunlight with benefits far more than just increasing bone density but it also serves to increase respiratory immunity, reduce several types of cancers, reduce the risk of diabetes, and lower the chance of heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis or possibly even multiple sclerosis. As a hormone, it has an impact on over 2000 genes in our body. Because of this, it makes sense that there must be benefits of having an adequate level. Ironically, this comes just weeks after the U.S. Government released its position against routine testing of vitamin D. Clearly, additional studies are necessary to confirm the benefits, however, in my practice I will continue to check this level because I was amazed at how many profoundly deficient patients I found the first year I routinely checked this level. Over time with further research, Im certain we will have a better understanding of the value of the testing that we do - such as vitamin analysis, and more specifically, Vitamin D levels. My philosophy is to provide information for my patients to allow them to make appropriate lifestyle changes to improve both the quality and hopefully the quantity of their lives. Vitamin D, in my opinion, is one test that may have value in some patients. MM
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:10:54 +0000
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