Prozac, Zoloft or Vitamin D3 deficient?

Sick all the time? Sad? Depressed? Low energy? Just don’t feel well? Hurt all over? Low motivation? Lack of Focus?

Your body may be deficient in anti-depressants, highly unlikely, or you may be deficient in vitamin D3.

"Inadequate vitamin D status is an important public health problem, which could be readily addressed by adequate vitamin D intake or sunlight exposure” (Am J Clin Nutr 1997:66:929-36)

There is an epidemic of depression in the country. Can we all be depressed? Probably not. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can cause low mood and moderate depression like symptoms. Think about how depressed people in colder climates become in the winter months. Indoor tanning has become a huge industry in the Northern and Midwest states because it makes people “feel good.”

We need Vitamin D, specifically in the D3 form for multiple normal functions of the body such as:
*Normal Thyroid Function
*Normal bone and cartilage mineralization
*To absorb and maintain Calcium levels
*Normal Blood Clotting
*Normal Heart Action
*Healthy skin integrity

Vitamin D3 can be considered both a vitamin and a hormone due to where it is produced and released. Therapeutic doses of Vitamin D can help prevent such conditions as:
*Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
*Peripheral Neuropathy
*Lupus (SLE)
*Fibromyalgia
*Depression
*Autoimmune Disorders

"The significant role of Vitamin D compounds as selective immunosuppressants is illustrated by their ability to either prevent or markedly suppress animal models of autoimmune disease". (FASEB J 2001 Dec:15(14):2579-85).

In Norway there is a high incidence of MS, an autoimmune disorder, inland. But a low to zero incidence on the coast. This could be explained by the abundance of vitamin D-rich fish on the coast and the native consumption if it. Coincidence? In Switzerland, there is a high incidence of MS at low elevation, but a low incidence at high elevation. Coincidence that in low elevation the sun exposure is close to zero?

With the fear of skin cancer and wrinkles we are in the sun less and less these days. And when we are, we a lathered up with chemical based-toxin containing sun screen, blocking vitamin D absorption.

So, how do we achieve normal and/or therapeutic levels of Vitamin D3? Let’s start with nature. Spend 15 minutes in the sun 2-3 times per week without a sun block. As we said, low light climates can dampen Vitamin D levels. This emphasizes an important point: optimal functioning of the skin, liver, and kidney are necessary for metabolism efficiency.

Unable to swing that? Try adding it to your diet through foods high in vitamin D such as organic egg yolks, fish and liver. You will need to eat 3 to 4 servings of each per week to achieve the needed 400-600 IU per day. Most of us don’t eat, nor want to eat the foods rich in D so supplementation of D3 can be used.

Supplementation is absolutely needed when treating conditions present from depletion. But be careful where your vitamin D supplement is coming from. Unfortunately, like in anything else, you get what you pay for. Most over the counter products are in such low doses and poor content you won’t absorb it well enough to feel a difference. The D3 we carry in the office is the highest quality and purest form on the market.

So, eat more fish - play in the sun - take your Vitamin D3 and feel good!