How to Maximize Muscle

Vitamin D has come a long way from being merely the bone-associated, “sunshine” vitamin. Modern medicine has rechristened it a metabolic modulator almost akin to a hormone.

Cause

Increased urbanization and migration have changed man’s relationship to the sun. From the era of abundant unfiltered sunlight, when outdoor ways of life abounded, we have evolved to working from dawn to dusk in air conditioned offices, only to emerge and plunge into indoor gyms. During the rare sunshine exposures, either the maze of smoggy clouds or sunscreens and protective clothing, starve the body of supply.

  Since its discovery and association with rickets (pot bellied kids with wiry limbs who were D deprived), it is common knowledge that sunlight is the most important factor responsible for the production of vitamin D. The rays of the sun strike the sun and stimulate the formulation of cholecalciferol, the precursor molecule. The type of sunlight is important – best in the early morning or late afternoon and not in the blazing sun.

 From busy executives to pushed students, definitely the mail soliciting housewives and even “courting” lawyers and in-clinic doctors – no one sees the “light of the day” and vitamin D deficiency is rampant. A level of over 50ng of 25Hydroxy Calciferol (Standard Vit D blood test) is considered normal. It is common to find more than 50 to 100% of across the board patients to be deficient. Almost all their symptoms - body ache, muscle pains, lassitude and even fractures – translate from this deficiency.

 Ill-effects

This accentuates osteoporosis among post menopausal women and andropausal men but it is seen to precipitate the same condition prematurely amongst all.Indiahas reported a high incidence of deficiency in pregnant women and even their newborns. But is only the tip of iceberg, for vitamin D has a deeper multifaceted role to play.

 *Vitamin D stimulates insulin secretion and its deficiency has been associated with diabetes.

 *Correction and maintenance of normal level s delays or prevents hyperglycemia.

 *Hypertension and cardiovascular disease is another devil that stalks deficient patients. Increased blood pressure and the incidence of heart attacks is higher in winter (no sun) and amongst dark skinned people (excess melanin in the skin interferes with Vitamin D formation).

 *Longstanding D deficiency causes inflammation within the tiny arteries resulting in a higher incidence of strokes, heart failure and kidney diseases. For long D deficiency has been implicated in reactivation of tuberculosis and chronic infections. Its role as a potent immuno-modulator makes it mandatory to replenish levels when combating such problems.

 *The last straw on the deficient,s back is cancer. Low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, ovary and lung.

The solution

 The solution is simple. If you cannot get under the sun for at least 20 minutes a day, eat foods rich in Vitamin D such a milk cereal, yogurt, fish. Cod liver oil, fruits and leafy vegetables etc. See that you maintain adequate level of Vitamin D. While more than 50 ng is normal, closer to 75 ng is desirable. 

 Deficient patients need 2000 IUsn(International Units) a day, while maintaining that level requires 800 IUs daily. This is easily provided by inexpensive tablets or powders. Care should be taken to simultaneously consume at least 800 mg of calcium per day for the two work in tandem in the bone.

 Replenishing vitamin D is wise investment with diverse benefits – so that “No one will get old”.Vitamin D deficiency is poverty in the mindset of plenty and is a treatable problem. Enjoy the sunsine everyday to rejunivate your body with vitamin D.

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