| Are aching, creaking joints making your simple daily | | | | guard against Vitamin D deficiency. They include: |
| activities uncomfortable? For many of my patients, | | | | Diet: When my patients ask about Vitamin D |
| joint pain prohibits them from exercising and that's not | | | | deficiency, I ask them what they are eating (or not |
| a good thing. I have to tell them that sore, aching joints | | | | eating!) on a regular basis. By what they say, I can tell |
| does not have to be a function of getting older. | | | | if they're likely to have a Vitamin D deficiency. A |
| The truths is, sore, aching joints and bones, are more | | | | Vitamin D-friendly diet consists of dark green leafy |
| likely due to nutritional deficiencies, specifically Vitamin | | | | vegetables, fatty type ocean fish, a little red meat, and |
| D! That's right. In fact, many health researchers believe | | | | sun-dried vegetables like mushrooms or tomatoes |
| there is an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency today, | | | | which contain good levels of Vitamin D. |
| especially amongst older people. | | | | Supplements: To truly combat Vitamin D deficiency in |
| Most of my patients, like many people across the | | | | today's world where food is over processed and soils |
| country, are deficient in Vitamin D. They work indoors | | | | depleted of nutrients, Vitamin D supplements are |
| all day and don't spend much time in the sun. Recent | | | | crucial. Even if you take a good multivitamin that |
| studies have shown that Vitamin D plays an important | | | | contains Vitamin D, likely the 400 mg provided in them |
| part in making synovial fluid, the substance that | | | | is not enough to get rid of your deficiency as adults |
| surrounds joints and keeps them moving freely without | | | | require 2-4,000 units a day! Vitamin D3 is the type of |
| pain. | | | | Vitamin D supplement you want to look for, or ask |
| Could You Have A Vitamin D Deficiency? | | | | your doctor for, as most prescription Vitamin D is the |
| If you have aching and painful joints, the first and best | | | | D2 form. |
| thing you can do for yourself is to get a Vitamin D | | | | Sun Exposure: If you work indoors all year long and |
| level test the next time you visit your doctor. Other | | | | exercise in a gym rather than outdoors, you're likely to |
| symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency might include: | | | | have a Vitamin D deficiency. Taking a 15 minute break |
| Fatigue - constant tiredness, even chronic fatigue | | | | and going for a walk or run in midday sun is a good |
| syndrome, can be from Vitamin D deficiency. | | | | way to absorb enough of the sun's building blocks to |
| Difficulty controlling your weight - vitamin D | | | | make Vitamin D. |
| regulates weight levels. If your weight is stuck at a | | | | As people age, one of the most debilitating ailments is |
| certain level or bounces back and forth, your Vitamin D | | | | the inability to move, or get around without joint pain or |
| levels may be off. | | | | locking, stiff joints. It severely decreases your ability to |
| Body aches - notably aching bones and joints. | | | | participate in the activities of everyday life and most |
| Race - very dark skinned people such as Hispanics, | | | | importantly, exercise, which is one of the most crucial |
| African Americans, and East Indians, are all at much | | | | aspects to staying healthy at any age. |
| higher risk than Caucasians of developing Vitamin D | | | | Knowing the role Vitamin D plays in keeping your joints |
| deficiency. Their skin is full of melanin, a natural | | | | healthy and moving without pain is significant. Make |
| sunscreen, which blocks the type of sunlight necessary | | | | sure you get adequate levels of Vitamin D everyday |
| to make Vitamin D. | | | | to ensure your joints will get the help they need to |
| What Can You Do About Vitamin D Deficiency? | | | | stay strong and healthy throughout the rest of your life! |
| There are several lifestyle changes you can make to | | | | |