Vitamin D deficiency is a global epidemic, the treatment of which could be an angle for prevention in complementary medicine. A 2013 review revealed that about one billion people worldwide are vitamin D-deficient, and the United States represents a significant piece of the problem. As of 2016, 32% of Americans — nearly 130 million people — suffered from the condition. The health risks associated with this deficiency should make it a high priority for treatment in any complementary medicine practice.

Problems Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency

It’s been estimated that 12.8% of all deaths in the United States could be attributable to vitamin D deficiency. It correlates strongly with some of the leading causes of death in the United States, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Breast, prostate, colon cancer
• Depression
• Insomnia

We’ve yet to prove definitive causation between many of these issues and vitamin D deficiency, but there’s reason to suspect a connection. Vitamin D is critical for calcium absorption, the key to bone growth. Studies have suggested it may also have key neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects.

Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency

Our key source of vitamin D is sunlight absorption. Though the deficiency runs across all American ethnic groups, dark pigmentation is considered the highest risk factor, followed by:

• Lifestyle: Those who spend most of their day indoors need to make time for the sun.
• Sunscreen: It’s important for blocking out harmful UV rays, but some doctors recommend spending 15 minutes in the sun before applying.
• Location & Season: Northern cities like Boston are exposed to insufficient sunshine for up to half the year — thankfully, vitamin D can be stored up over the summer.
• Age: As we age, our ability to produce the vitamin decreases.
• Body weight: Obesity makes it harder for our bodies to absorb vitamin D.

Vitamin D Supplementation Methods

There are three main sources of vitamin D: food, sunlight, and supplements such as pills and oils. The sun is a surefire way to achieve sufficiency, though those prone to melanoma should exercise caution. Food can only give you a slight vitamin D boost. This study recommends oil-based multivitamins, but those cellulose-based are also effective.

How should complementary medicine approach this problem? Discuss these issues with fellow clinicians at a Metro Collaborative™ meeting. With dinners throughout the East Coast and retreats in the sunny Dominican Republic, this group helps advance complementary medicine and form valuable referral relationships. RSVP for their next event by calling (212) 777-8949 or visiting their website today.