Did you know up to 90 percent of American children and seniors are vitamin D deficient? Research has increasingly made the connection between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis.
What is Vitamin D?
Sometimes biology and medical terminology can make someone go cross eyed so I am going to do my best to lay it out in terms we can all understand.
Vitamin D is synthesized in the body in two ways, first as a prohormone and second as a vitamin D3.
- Prohormone: Prohormones are simply in the body to support and strengthen hormones that we already have in our bodies. Vitamin D is a prohormone to calitriol, a hormone that regulates the concentration of calcium and phosphate in your system. This is why vitamin D also helps in the prevention of osteoporosis (thinning bones).
- Vitamin D3: Vitamin D3 is synthesized with sun exposure; this is why many scientists are now finding a correlation between MS statistics in populations of the Earth that don’t get enough sunlight throughout the year. Along with helping our bones, vitamin D3 also plays a role in our immune system.
I explain in my book that: “Studies show that people taking high doses of vitamin can cut their chances if relapse by more than 41 percent.”
How do I know if need more Vitamin D?
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society explains that a person can get the “25-hydroxyvitamin D” test to find out whether they are deficient or adequate.
I also attached a useful infographic that explains a little bit more about vitamin D.
How can I incorporate more Vitamin D in my system?
Supplements are a great way but another great way that I have been promoting is eating fish high in good oils and fats. Fish oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acids which have a multitude of health benefits but it is also a good source of vitamin D.
In Chapter 3 of my book, MS Living Symptom Free, I discuss vitamin and supplement options for MSers, and I also explain what works for me. Remember that everyone's body is unique and it is up to you to find what works best for your body.
