Natural Vitamin D Supplements

Since most of us are vitamin D deficient, it is in our best interest to find a natural vitamin D supplement.

As I've said before, the best sources of vitamin D come directly from the sun.

But supplements are almost always necessary to get our vitamin D levels up high enough to reap the many health benefits. Why?

Most of us spend too little time outdoors without sunscreen
Most of us are in a geographic location where we can only make vitamin D during the summer months

The good news is that these supplements are becoming more readily available. But only one kind is considered natural.

There are two different types of vitamin D available in supplement form – vitamin D2 (also known as ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol).

Vitamin D2 is the type you'll find in most multivitamins, prescriptions, most supplements, and vitamin D fortified foods. It is a patented drug that behaves like vitamin D, but it is not natural. It has been responsible for the vast majority of toxicity reports on vitamin D and should be avoided.

Along with the increased risk of toxicity, it has been found to be less than half as effective as natural vitamin D3. It is also suspected of blocking some vitamin D health benefits.

Vitamin D3 is the naturally occurring form of vitamin D in your body and the one you should choose when supplementing.

The best kind is to buy is dry or in coconut oil. This is because most vitamin D supplements contain oils as stabilizers that are either unhealthy and/or have gone rancid.

You'll also want to make sure that your supplement provides a high enough vitamin D dosage to be effective. For most of us, that will be pills that are in 5,000 IU increments.

http://www.approachwellness.com/natural-vitamin-d.html

Click Here For More Articles

Don't forget to opt-in to Our Healthy Living Society and get 3 free gifts while receiving the latest information on health, well-being and groundbreaking news about natural nutrition.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

The Surprising Reason Your Knees Hurt More In Winter

By Markham Heid
winter knee pain relief with vitamin D

Knees not feeling great this time of year? You may need more of the sunshine vitamin, suggests new research from the Clinical Journal of Pain.

Compared to those osteoarthritis sufferers with adequate vitamin D levels, those short on D reported significantly more knee pain and loss of function, according to the study data. Those results held regardless of a person's weight, although the obese study participants were more likely to suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.

There are several different ways low D might mess with your knees, says study coauthor Toni Glover, PhD, of the University of Florida. For one thing, being short on D ups your inflammation levels, which in turn increases pain sensitivity associated with osteoarthritis. Having too little D also increases "bone turnover," which lowers bone quality, the study authors explain.

Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread problem, Glover says. In fact, one recent study from the journal Nutrition Research found roughly 42% of Americans are dangerously low when it comes to vitamin D. You get most of your D from sun exposure, Glover explains. So all the problems associated with low D tend to spike in wintertime, when most people aren't getting much sun.

A simple blood test from your doctor can determine whether you're low in the vitamin, Glover says. If you're deficient, she says taking a vitamin D supplement for several months can help you raise your levels. While it's difficult to get too much D, the amount you need depends on your weight and body composition, Glover explains. Your body stores D in fat cells, meaning those with greater amounts of body fat require more of the vitamin to limit pain and loss of function.

If pain and loss of movement aren't enough to make you worry about vitamin D, consider this: more research has found low D doubles your risk for dementia.

http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/winter-knee-pain