Epidemic Vitamin D Deficiency

Posted by Horton Tatarian, research biochemist, on 7th Apr 2016

Epidemic Vitamin D Deficiency

Scientists Link Deficiency and Disease

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and statistically associates with many disease conditions. 

There is mounting scientific evidence that implicates vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular heart disease, and many common deadly cancers. Reference

Correcting this deficiency may not seem critical compared to treating a serious medical problem. Nevertheless, as explained in  Anti-Inflammatory Dietary Supplements:

Beneficial natural substances prevent or repair failures in structure and function that characterize various disease states. Drugs treat diseases (breakdown patterns), usually not the underlying causes.

A deficiency of natural substances can lead to a broad range of impairments. In states of deficiency, needed dietary changes and supplementation provide the resources required for cell, tissue, and organ repair. Furthermore, some natural substances can help offset cell and tissue stresses that would otherwise lead to disease.

A lack of vitamin D associates with a broad range of impairments, some of which appear in the screenshot below. (Please ignore all commas; they are a database formatting device.)

Life Sciences Database Screenshot, Vitamin D deficiency associates with (a partial list), Lifesciences.care

Medical Rejection of Research Evidence

Although scientists find links between vitamin D deficiency and disease causation, medical experts deny the existence of sufficient evidence for using the vitamin to prevent or treat diseases. For example, WebMd states the following:

Vitamin D and Diabetes

Some studies have shown a link between a low vitamin D level and type 2 diabetes -- the more common version of this blood sugar disorder. So, can boosting your vitamin D levels help ward off the disease? There's not enough proof for doctors to recommend taking this supplement to prevent type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat may play a role in diabetes and low levels of vitamin D. Reference

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is more common far away from the sunny equator. For years, experts suspected a link between sunlight, vitamin D levels, and this autoimmune disorder that damages the nerves. One newer clue comes from a study of a rare gene defect that leads to low levels of vitamin D – and a higher risk of MS. Despite these links, there's not enough evidence to recommend vitamin D for the prevention or treatment of MS. Reference

The validity of these statements appears questionable in light of scientific evidence. However, technically and scientifically, it is correct to deny that a nutrient can prevent or treat any health condition other than a nutrient deficiency. 

As explained above, nutrients and other natural substances  prevent or repair the breakdowns in structure and function that characterize various disease states. Thus, while not preventing or treating diseases directly, natural substances affect conditions involved in disease causation. 

Although medical experts are justified in denying any direct nutritional effect on disease conditions, it is appropriate to check vitamin D status and correct deficiencies through dietary supplementation. 

Related Supplement Categories

Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D3)

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Anti-Inflammatory Dietary Supplements

About Horton Tatarian

Horton Tatarian image

I’m a biochemist who examines scientific findings on health and disease. My degree in biochemistry is from U.C. Berkeley. UCLA School of Medicine granted an M.D. degree in 1974. Since then, independent research prepared me to advise clients on natural ways of self-care.

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