Vitamin D3 - It is very important!!

Understanding Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol

Many Americans, particularly African Americans, may be suffering from unrecognized deficiencies of a key nutrient -- vitamin D -- that increase the risk of bone problems and perhaps a host of other diseases, a growing number of scientists say.

Technically not a "vitamin," vitamin D is in a class by itself. Its metabolic product, calcitriol, is actually a secosteroid hormone that targets over 2000 genes (about 10% of the human genome) in the human body. Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, rickets, and more.

Some researchers suggest that one spend more time in sunlight for natural vitamin D3 production by the skin, while others prefer to reduce one's exposure to the ill-effects of the sun's UV-light by suggesting the taking of vitamins.

Bottom line - consult your physician. A simple blood test can indicate a deficiency.

- Vitamin D Council
- Washington Post