Medical News Today reported that data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) USA found that 9% (7.6 million) of children across the USA are Vitamin D deficient while another 61% (50.8 million) are Vitamin D insufficient.  Vitamin D for humans, is obtained from sun exposure, food, and supplements.  The active form of Vitamin D in the body is called Calcitriol.  It is needed in the development of strong healthy bones.  Calcitriol promotes the absorption of Calcium and Phosphorous from the food in the gut and reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys, this increases the flow of calcium in the bloodstream. This is essential for the normal mineralization of bone and preventing hypocalcemic tetany. Hypocalcemic tetany is a low calcium condition in which the patient has overactive neurological reflexes, spasms of the hands and feet, and cramps and spasms of the voice box (larynx).  Vitamin D also plays a key role in the maintenance of many organ systems.

Benefits of Vitamin D include:

• It is an immune regulator and may help arm against the common cold
• It may reduce the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis
• It may have a key role in helping the brain to keep working well later into life
• Vitamin D is probably linked to maintaining healthy body weight
• It may reduce the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms
• It may reduce the risk of developing rheumatiod arthritis in women
• People with adequate levels of Vitamin D have a significant lower risk of developing cancer, compared to people with lower levels.

Vitamin D is found in dietary sources such as fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil.  The sun also contributes significantly to daily production of Vitamin D.

In adults, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which results in muscular weakness in addition to weak bones.  Populations who may be at high risk for vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, obese individuals, exclusively breast fed infants, and those who have limited sun exposure.  Also, individuals who have fat malabsorption syndroms (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis) or inflammatory bowl disease (e.g. Crohns disease) are at risk.

The next Biggest Loser season started at the beginning of January! I love this show, and was struck by a comment one of the contestants made after meeting with the show’s M.D.  She said: “My life is my most precious possession”.  I think the comment can make all of us think twice about some of the decisions we make for our lives!  This is the one life we have, how are we going to take care of it?  How much do we value it?   Sadly I so often hear and see material possessions taking priority over peoples lives.   Lets start taking care of our life and living like it is our most prized possession!

It is easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated when you are unsuccessful at keeping the copious resolutions you set forth for yourself at the start of a New Year.  Don’t be to hard on yourself, it is never to late to try again! Many of us enter the New Year with Resolutions to change and improve our old selfs, and the lists are broad and may not truly fit who we are, making them unrealistic to keep.  Think of your New Year’s Resolutions as Goals for yourself, as opposed to the pass/fail resolutions, and find a buddy that has similar goals that can help keep you motivated and hold you accountable!

At Langford and Karls Chiropractic our mission is to Focus on the Individual Needs of Men, Women, and Children.  If your need or goal is to live a healthier life, come and see us.  The foundation of good health is a properly functioning musculoskeletal system.  Keeping your body in alignment helps you achieve improved physical endurance and strength.  Diet, excercise, and stress-reduction also have an important role in maintaining proper body functioning and alignment. With the Drs. of Langford and Karls Chiropractic by your side, we will help you work towards your goal for a healthy 2010!