Aug2014_GET TO KNOW YOUR HEALTH

Vitamin D and its deficiency

Vitamin D; we all know it or have heard of it around the place.  In fact it seems lately that you can’t turn a corner without someone mentioning why you should be checking your levels, taking a pill or just getting out in the sun some more.  Well, this month I’m going to be writing (and hopefully a couple of people also reading) this article, with the aim of getting some facts and also cutting through some myths about our old friend Vitamin D.

Vitamin D, otherwise known as cholecalciferol (D3) is a fat soluble nutrient that is one of the 24 micronutrients critical for our survival.  It can be obtained by our diets or can be made when our skin comes into contact with UV light.  Even with this simple method of making Vitamin D, the Australian Bureau of statistics released figures this year that in 2011-2012 one in every 4 Australians were Vitamin D deficient.  This is coupled with the fact that even if not deficient, 73% of the population had levels that were considered sub-optimal.  This is important due to the many health benefits of Vitamin D when it is kept at optimal levels.  The deficiency level also raised across the age groups with 57% of the 75 year old plus group testing deficient.

Why are so many Australians Vitamin D deficient?  

It seems counterintuitive that the sunniest place on earth, with our white sandy beaches, BBQ’s and big smiles (we have all seen the commercials) would have a population that is low in a vitamin obtained from the diet AND SUN EXPOSURE.  The first reason this has happened is due to the difficulty in obtaining dietary Vitamin D.  Dairy is the most abundant source however we would have to drink 10 glasses of Vitamin D fortified milk to even reach bare minimum levels.  The 2nd reason for our low levels can be split into our indoor lifestyles and the success of an incredible advertising campaign in the 1980’s; SLIP, SLOP, SLAP!  This sun awareness has been very beneficial to our cancer rates and general wellbeing, however it has also contributed to our national Vitamin D deficiency.  

The really interesting stuff about Vitamin D starts to show up when we look at what effect it has.  Every other day it seems that there is another study linking Vitamin D to help with some condition or medical problem so we won’t be listing them all but here are a couple things that it has been shown to help with when at optimal levels:

Falls Risk in the elderly reduces significantly

Cardiovascular disease risk and complications are reduced

Colorectal cancer risk is halved

Bone fracture risk reduced

Blood pressure reduction

Body fat mass reduction in overweight people when deficiency is corrected

All-cause mortality (death) is reduced from medical causes

Insulin secretion and sensitivity increases in diabetics

Depression and depressive symptoms are reduced

The above medical issues might seem too varied to be related to one vitamin, however it is just the tip of the iceberg.  Vitamin D has also been associated with reductions in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Type 2 Diabetes.  Breast, Prostate, Pancreatic and Ovarian cancer are all inversely related to Vitamin D levels, meaning as the vitamin levels increase the risk of cancer decreases.  Finally to top it off Vitamin D is associated with better lung function.  Both adults and children supplementing the vitamin were less likely to catch the flu, kids were 40% less and adults were up to 3x less likely.  In asthma, low levels are being associated with increased medication use in children, while supplementation decreased asthma attacks.  Looking back at all of that makes it pretty surreal how much this fairly unassuming little vitamin can affect.  

Striking the balance of safe sun exposure and optimal Vitamin D levels has never been more obviously important.  There is a wealth of further information about this vitamin and what it can help the body do, and as always, if you are interested in anything above or any further information, don’t hesitate to drop into the pharmacy for a chat or see another local healthcare professional.

Written by Andrew Harvey

(Your local pharmacist) 

Dayboro Pharmacy, Phone 3425 1435

Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm

Sat 8.30am – 12.30pm