The Power of Individualized Medicine
The latest panacea award in natural medicine today has to go to the well-respected super hero; Vitamin D. This power punch vitamin won’t be ignored with all the latest studies and research reporting its healing potential from mood to cancer. It’s the omnipotent nutrient, right?!
I have to say, integrative medical practitioners are all feeling a smug satisfaction as testing for this natural compound in food, and using it for treatment, is becoming mainstream. This is a fantastic step in the right direction of integrative medicine!
Still, there are some cautions I have on just giving this vitamin out in high doses to treat a number deemed “optimal for everyone”.
The Vitamin D Saga Continues
Vitamin D is a hormone, fat-soluble vitamin that has multi-nutrigenomic effects (see my website for information on what that means). Due to the fact that it is produced from cholesterol and modulates our cellular behavior, a little can go a long way. Think about it. Doctors measure your hormonal levels in very tiny amounts. We have respect for the fact that a little sway in one hormone to the detriment of another can cause a hormonalic rage that can scare away the most patient romantic suitor.
So, here is my big question: What are the long-term consequences of high dose of Vitamin D over long periods of time?
The scientific answer to this is that we just don’t know. We haven’t used it long enough.
Why those with higher Vitamin D have better outcomes:
- Better livers- Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol, which is made in the liver and converted to its active form in the kidney….which leads to number 2…
- Better functioning kidneys…
- Enough healthy cholesterol. Vitamin D is made from cholesterol; so, if one has enough vitamin D, then they probably are more hormonally balanced.
-Balanced hormones are signs of good fat absorption and digestive power, both important for vitamin D levels. They also create optimal neurotransmitter signaling (better communication within the body), and better immune function.
My concerns:
- Long term studies aren’t there–we are still just measuring liver formation and not kidney formation with Vitamin D levels, because it’s “the right test”.
- Are we addressing why one is deficient in Vitamin D?
Are there medications creating a deficiency? Examples include Cholesterol medications and Accutane, are affecting the liver. In this case, low Vitamin D is a sign to support the liver rather than give it more work!
- What about Vitamin D’s sidekicks? Are you and your practitioner modulating the effect by re-testing, supplementing with the other factors that may go deficient, such as Vitamin A? Are you checking liver’s companion, Mr. Kidney?
Things that make you go hum……With the above concerns, I have taught all my clients to consider this.
References:
Mercola, J. Surprise! Vitamin D Can Help or Hinder Your Weight Management. August 21 2012 Mercola.com. August 21, 2012. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/21/vitamin-d-on-weight-management.aspx?e_cid=20120821_DNL_artNew_1
Moss, J. IDENTIFY AND CORRECT MAJOR MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES & IMBALANCES, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO NUTRIENTS AS VITAMIN D, IODINE AND ZINC- PART II. UPDATE ON VITAMIN D. The Moss Nutrition Report. Product Review # 217. April 2010.
Genova Labs Inc. Sex Hormone Essentials: Estrogen Metabolism. 8/22/12 Webinar.
Dr. Bridget Briggs. Hormone Balance and Toxicity: What is the Connection with Cardiovascular Health – Part 1. Metagenics Webinar. 8/21/12.
Vitamin D Council. Vitamin D Council Information. Accessed 8/22/12. http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/
