Vitamin D the Sunshine Vitamin: Part 2

Sunlight does more for us than just grow plants and tan our skin.

Between shorter days and cold weather keeping everyone indoors, it's no wonder we can get to feeling a bit down.

With less opportunities to produce Vitamin D from sunlight, some of us may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). And that is just one of the many Vit D benefits we take a closer look at here.

Keep reading to see the most popular Vitamin D benefits and if they are truly backed by research

I did a deep dive literature review to see if all the Vit D benefits I see on my social feed, have actually been proven by research.

In general i found one common theme:

that Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is a common occurrence in many individuals with chronic illness.

Supplementing Vitamin D in deficient individuals has been shown to improve outcomes and treatments.
However, random supplementation in individuals that are NOT deficient has not been proven to prevent disease.

Claim: Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in Seasonal Affective Disorder

Result : Proven
Lack of Sunlight plays a critical role in the decreased serotonin activity, increased melatonin production, disrupted circadian rhythms, and low levels of Vitamin D associated with symptoms of SAD. Antidepressant medications offer some relief. However, light therapy, Vitamin D supplements, and counseling approaches are also emerging as effective treatments.

Claim: Promotes growth of strong healthy bones facilitates calcium absorption.

Result: proven

Let’s start with our youngest- VitaminD deficiency can cause Rickets in infants, a condition that causes softening and weakening of bones. In the US baby’s formula is VitD fortified and baby foods are supplemented with VitD.

Breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate amount of vitamin D, even if mothers are taking supplements containing vitamin D. Breastfed babies should be supplemented with VitD infant drops. Consult your pediatrician for guidance.

In our older population: As people age—and particularly in women—bone breakdown rate occurs faster than that of bone building. Over time, bone density can decline, and osteoporosis can eventually develop. Insufficient vitamin D intakes contribute to osteoporosis by reducing calcium absorption. In this population those at risk should take calcium along with VitD.

Claim: Vitamin D deficiency can put a person at greater risk for infection

Result: Proven

Research suggests that low VitD level may be a clue for an underlying disease which may put an individual at greater risk of infection.

Claim: Taking Vitamin D can prevent or treat an infection:

Result: Not Proven

Simply supplementing will not provide increased immunity to those with normal vitD levels.

Claim: Promotes neuromuscular health and prevention of disease.

Result: Proven
Vitamin D is needed for the normal development and growth of muscle fibers. In addition, inadequate vitamin D levels can adversely affect muscle strength and lead to muscle weakness and pain (myopathy).

Claim: Vitamin D can help control glucose metabolism and treat Diabetes.

Result: False Observational studies have linked lower VitD levels to an increased risk of diabetes, but clinical trials show little evidence that vitamin D supplementation helps maintain stable blood sugar levels or reduces the risk of progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes.

Claim: Vitamin D to prevent exacerbations of COPD:

Result: True

Vitamin D supplementation safely and substantially reduced the rate of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations in patients with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <25 nmol/L but not in those with higher levels.

If you are having symptoms that have been otherwise undiagnosed ask your doc to check your vitamin D levels

If deficient or insufficient consider taking a vitamin D supplement rather than relying on sunlight and food as a source.
This should be done with the guidance of your health care provider to determine appropriate dosage to get the best results, much and for how long you should take Vitamin D will depend on your baseline level.

- Be well, Dr.D

References

Sherri Melrose, "Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches", Depression Research and Treatment, vol. 2015, Article ID 178564, 6 pages, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#en72
Mangin, M., Sinha, R. & Fincher, K. Inflammation and vitamin D: the infection connection. Inflamm. Res. 63, 803–819 (2014).
Thorax 2019 Apr;74(4):337-345.doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212092.Epub 2019 Jan 10.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d