Understanding Vitamin D Deficiency
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for vitamins are established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) with the intention of serving as a guide for good nutrition and to provide the basis for nutrient guidelines in the U.S. and Canada. In the case of vitamin D, the process of establishing recommendations for intake levels is more complex, for several reasons. Unlike other vitamins, serum levels of vitamin D are the result of both dietary intake, mainly through fatty fish, eggs, beef, supplements and synthesis of the nutrient within the skin after exposure to UVB sunlight. Both of these factors vary from person to person, though sun exposure is the source of 90-95% of vitamin D for the majority of the population not consuming supplements.1 Like dietary intake, exposure to the sun is variable and is quite often significantly reduced as a result of increased sunscreen use and more time spent indoors, adding to the complexity of formulating recommendations for intake.Vitamin D Day
Note: Except during the summer months, the skin makes little if any vitamin D from the sun at latitudes above 37 degrees north (in the United States, the shaded region in the map) or below 37 degrees south of the equator. People who live in these areas are at relatively greater risk for vitamin D deficiency.
from: Point Institute of Nutraceutical Research
Besides helping to initially produce Vitamin D through the wonderful rays of the sun, the liver also plays a a role in production. Without the liver functioning properly, extra vitamin and hormone assemblies are hindered. Therefore, we must not only look at our environment from which we can receive adequate sun-light, but even internal environments where in which we can control or manage nutritional availability. With this in mind, please, do not neglect to Detox your body from years of environmental and food-toxins (smoking, excessive alcohol, and/or improper dietary habits, etc.).