You have probably heard how important it is to get adequate Vitamin D intake. Vitamin D plays an essential role within the body and has a heavy influence on the healthy expression of genes. Research suggests that adequate Vitamin D levels in the body help protect against many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions. Nearly every cell (somewhere between 15 and 70 trillion – depending on the person) has a receptor for Vitamin D.
What you may not know is that Vitamin D is most effective when combined with other fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A and K) and is used to keep normal calcium levels in our body. These vitamins and minerals work in synergy to protect the body and keep it functioning optimally. When consuming high levels of Vitamin D supplements without these other vitamins and minerals, imbalance and dysfunction of the body will result.
Consider this example. If Vitamin D was the quarterback of a football team, it would need other teammates in order to function optimally and be successful. It would need an offensive line to block, receivers to throw to, and a running back to hand the ball to. The quarterback (Vitamin D) would not be very successful winning football games without these other teammates, as they need to work in synergy to function optimally and be successful on the field. Similarly, Vitamin D is most effective when combined with other “teammates” or micro-nutrients such as Vitamins A and K, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
What does this mean? It means that, as Dr. Arns always recommends, it is best to get our nutrients from whole, organic, unprocessed foods. These foods will contain ALL of the necessary micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) to ensure the body has everything it needs to be healthy.
Foods that are high in these essential nutrients are wild caught fish, free-range eggs, and pastured full-fat dairy (butter, milk, yogurt, kefir, cheese). When you are not able to consume these foods regularly, whole foods supplements can be a very effective and convenient way to maintain adequate nutritional intake and protect the body from illness and dysfunction.
Most conventional Vitamin D supplements simply contain a synthetic form of Vitamin D alone. Cod Liver Oil combined with High Vitamin Butter Oil or Ghee is an excellent way to get the proper blend of Vitamins A, D, and K, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Metagenics Vitamin D3 contains Vitamin K to ensure proper synergy in the body. Combining this with a whole foods multi-vitamin, such as Catalyn from Standard Process, is a powerful way to ensure your body is fortified with the proper combination of nutrients to function optimally. At Complete Chiropractic, we only carry the highest quality, whole food based supplements.
It’s important to remember that Vitamin D levels vary by population, genetics, diet and geographic location. A blood test is the best way to determine your Vitamin D status. Talk to Dr. Arns about how to obtain these tests.
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