Vitamin D is necessary to maintain a healthy and balanced body, as it plays an integral role in bone growth and strength. Without vitamin D, you may have issues with absorbing calcium, which could lead to health complications over time and seriously affect the body.
Bone diseases like osteoporosis occur when the bones are not strengthened by this hormone over time, and there is increasing evidence that vitamin D deficiency contributes to more than a dozen cancers, including breast, pancreatic, and colon cancers. Additional research indicates that women are more affected by vitamin D deficiency and the associated maladies more so than men.
While changes in diet and increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation – the part of sunlight that triggers vitamin D generation – can help women increase their levels of this necessary hormone, some women may benefit from vitamin D treatment in Connecticut to ensure their hormonal health needs are met. Below, we go into detail on what vitamin D is, what its deficiency can do, and how our services could help you.
Vitamin D, despite its name, is actually a hormone that the body can naturally produce when the skin is exposed to the activating compound in sunlight, ultraviolent-B rays. The primary function of vitamin D is to help absorb calcium, which is then dispersed to the bones and throughout the rest of the body.
50 to 90 percent of a person’s vitamin D comes from exposure to sunshine. While it can be introduced into the body through various foods or nutritional supplements, a women’s natural diet contains far too little vitamin D to sustain healthy levels thereof.
Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, fortified milk, egg yolks, and some cheeses. If a woman is vegan or lactose intolerant, she may find it difficult to determine whether she is getting enough of vitamin D from her diet because newer food nutrition labels may not show the amount of this vitamin in certain foods.
Without vitamin D, a woman’s bones can become soft and fragile, leading to rickets or osteomalacia. Vitamin D hormone deficiency can also make a woman susceptible to immune system disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers. A lack of vitamin D has also been linked to depression, weight gain, and serious muscle pain.
There are also many factors that could increase a Connecticut woman’s likelihood of developing a vitamin D deficiency. Skin pigmentation, time of day, where on the globe you are, and the season all contribute to the amount of sunlight you can expose yourself to with the right amount of UV-B rays. Diet, preexisting conditions, gender, and age have also been linked to vitamin D deficiency.
Additionally, as a woman ages, the amount of vitamin D she needs increases. Infants should receive 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily – about a teaspoonful of cod liver oil – while those older than 70 should receive twice that amount daily. Even as much as 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day does not appear to have any serious implications on a woman’s health, while less than 10 micrograms a day could put her at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Studies have shown that women who are affected by a lack of vitamin D are more likely to suffer serious, life-long negative consequences. For some, a change in diet or sun exposure could be enough to prevent adverse health effects associated with this hormone deficiency. However, synthetic supplements may be the best option for others. This is especially true for older women or women who are pregnant or nursing.
With over-the-counter tablets and prescription options available for vitamin D, it may be helpful to talk to a hormone specialist about your specific needs and health goals. With the help of a qualified physician, you could receive testing to understand the severity of your vitamin D deficiency and use this information to pursue capsule or injection forms of vitamin D at various dosage levels.
It is not uncommon for women to suffer serious medical consequences due to a deficiency in vitamin D. While there are various ways a woman could independently increase her vitamin D levels, some women may benefit from vitamin D treatment at our facilities across Connecticut.
With trained specialists who understand hormone treatment and its benefits, you could find the right treatments to match your needs. Whether you would like to pursue this hormone treatment or need medical advice on the best way to recover from vitamin D deficiency, we could be of service.
During an initial consultation, Dr. Edward Jacobson could explain Vitamin D treatment options for you and determine the best course of action for your needs. Call our Greenwich office today to schedule a meeting.