High-dose vitamin D needed to prevent bone fractures

High-dose vitamin D needed to prevent bone fractures


(NaturalNews) If you had a major health risk you could mitigate with an
inexpensive yet very effective, safe, easy treatment, would you do it -
or would you think it's too good to be true? A new analysis of multiple
studies on vitamin D has proven its effectiveness at preventing broken
bones in elderly individuals. Yet, perhaps because there are no
lobbyists for vitamin D or because of the disinformation out there,
considering vitamin D usage for people with a high risk of fracture is a
low priority in the medical world.

Why vitamin D is so important

Essential
to good health, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin required for the
absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorous. It protects
against muscle weakness, regulates heartbeat, and is necessary for
normal blood clotting and thyroid function. It enhances immunity, and is
essential in preventing many types of cancer, osteoporosis, and
hypocalcemia. In fact, more than 2,000 genes (approx. 1/6 of the human
genome) are regulated by vitamin D, affecting the proliferation and
death of cells. Vitamin D helps boost mood and brain function. It helps
prevent chronic and degenerative diseases such as diabetes, arthritis,
protects your heart, strengthen bones, prevents premature aging, helps
guard against influenza, reduces severity of asthma, promotes hair
growth, etc. Vitamin D is essential for mobility and bodily functions.

Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with increased risk of hip fractures. You need vitamin D
to be able to utilize calcium you get from food. Around 300,000 people
are hospitalized with hip fractures each year, and many die from
complications after surgery, and many more survive but with severely
diminished mobility and are therefore unable to live independently.

Why the elderly are at higher risk

It
is estimated that three quarters of Americans are deficient in vitamin
D. Deficiency in vitamin D can manifest in many ways. According to Bach,
problems from deficiency may include: heart disease, birth defects,
depression, hypertension, stroke, dementia, fibromyalgia, impaired bone
mineralization, skin, breast, prostate and other cancers, multiple
sclerosis, insomnia, eye problem, problems with pregnancy, and other
chronic disease.

At closer to 95 percent deficient, the elderly
are not only more likely to be deficient but also have a higher need for
the benefits of vitamin D. They are also more likely to be on multiple
prescriptions, such as cholesterol reducing drugs, that interfere with
absorption, cause side-effects that vitamin D could help mitigate, and
are more likely to spend their time indoors, not getting sun exposure.
The most active form of vitamin D is the most natural
kind, D3. It is synthesized in the skin in response to the sun's
ultraviolet rays. There is a cholesterol compound in the skin that is a
precursor of vitamin D. The vitamin D we get from food and supplements
is not fully active until it goes through the liver and kidneys, where
it is converted, then it circulates through the blood like a hormone. It
is not possible for most people to consume enough vitamin D thorough
diet alone.

Natural remedies of all kinds are often thought to be
too good to be true, but do some research on your own and you'll find
that most of them have been around far longer than what the medical
establishment most often recommends. If they didn't work, they wouldn't
have been used for thousands of years.

Supplementing your health
with high quality, food-based vitamins is an inexpensive and effective
insurance policy. As long as it is made from food, it can't hurt you and
won't interfere with your medications. Don't buy vitamins from the
grocery store or other big box chains. Go to a health food store where
you can talk to a qualified, knowledgeable person who will help you find
some good choices. Then, go home and research them some more - call the
company, ask what source they use to make their vitamins. It's worth
this initial legwork to be sure you are spending your money wisely, and
getting what you intend. Most Americans can't go wrong adding a vitamin D
supplement to their health practices.


Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/036767_vitamin_D_bone_fractures_treatment.html