All about vitamin D

Many people are taking vitamin D but are not getting sufficient levels to maximize vitamin D's significant benefits, especially for risk reduction of COVID and many serious chronic diseases, including among others, breast, colon and other cancers, multiple sclerosis, dementia, stroke, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased heart failure.

It is important to note that apart from actual vitamin D deficiency, almost 90% of the general population are insufficient in vitamin D, having levels below the recommended 40-60 ng/ml. While most of us cannot achieve a sufficient vitamin D level from sun alone, either due to our lifestyle, where we live, or other circumstances, we can certainly reach those levels with the correct amount of supplementation, which varies from person to person.

This is why testing of your vitamin D level by your doctor or through a home test is so important. Your test results may show you are not deficient but are still insufficient for maximum benefit!

The "25-hydroxy vitamin D test" is the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. Your doctor can order this test or you can access testing through an online service.

There are several important issues to consider to optimize the benefits of vitamin D supplementation including cautionary factors that may be present.

If you need additional help in addressing these or other testing issues in your personal case, please schedule a vitamin D coaching session by clicking on the link below.

For detailed information and research on all aspects of vitamin D, I recommend that you link to https://www.grassrootshealth.net/project/our-scientists/

Reduce the risk of COVID infection

A new review of 38 research studies found that low vitamin D levels were associated with a significantly doubled increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe COVID-19, and COVID-19 death.

Using data from a total of 207,587 patients including vitamin D levels from 205,565 patients and 2022 who were taking vitamin D supplements researchers found a 118% increased risk of COVID infection, a 138% increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and a 135% increased risk of death due to COVID-19 among those with low vitamin D levels versus higher vitamin D levels.

As stated by the authors, there was a “significant double increased risk of infection for subjects with low serum vitamin D levels compared to the highest levels.”

Reducing the risk of breast cancer

Higher vitamin D levels were associated with an 80% decreased breast cancer risk, with levels at or above 60 ng/ml being the most protective!

Additionally, since breast cancers diagnosed in the first year were likely present but undiagnosed at the beginning of the study, we also repeated the analysis with only those without breast cancer at one year. We found that those with vitamin D levels at or above 60 ng/ml had a 93% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women with levels less than 20 ng/ml.

Many other studies have also been published showing a decreased risk of breast cancer associated with a higher vitamin D level! A summary of this research can be found on our Breast Cancer Prevention Study project page.

Reducing the risk of many health conditions

This document summarizes 15 peer-reviewed, published papers regarding vitamin D and certain conditions. It uses a reference level of 25 ng/ml, which means that the percentage reductions are based on raising levels from 25 ng/ml to the amount showing the percentage reduction. (25 ng/ml is the average vitamin D level in the US and Canada).

Depending on the level of vitamin D, research conducted by GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute confirmed that sufficient vitamin D levels can bring a 71% lower risk for all invasive cancers combined, excluding skin cancer.

This document is good to bring with you to your doctor when receiving your vitamin D level analysis – since these are relatively new studies – your doctor might not know about them. This chart gives doctors a clear view as to why 48 scientists recommend that the population achieve blood serum levels of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).