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Healthy Tips
75% of women tested by our GYN doctors are vitamin D deficient
Vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, high blood pressure, some autoimmune diseases, and several cancers including breast, colorectal, prostate and pancreatic.
As you can tell from our headline, we like vitamin D and think it’s important. There are vitamin D receptors on every cell in our body. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recent research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from high blood pressure, some autoimmune diseases, and several cancers including breast, colorectal, prostate and pancreatic.
Women with low vitamin D levels may have a higher risk of osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and even heart attack! Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with muscle weakness and pain in both adults and children. Some research has reported vitamin D deficiencies in patients with low-back pain, and found that supplementation reduces pain in many patients.
Becoming vitamin D deficient
There are many ways women become vitamin D deficient, including:
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The widespread use of sunscreen to avoid skin cancer has led to an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, as measured by a blood test. At our OB-GYN clinic, at least 75% of the women we test are vitamin D deficient. |
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In the winter, people cannot synthesize vitamin D from their skin if they live north of Atlanta due to the angle of the sun’s rays. |
Good ways to get vitamin D
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Vitamin D can by synthesized by your skin. Fifteen minutes of unprotected sun exposure between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the spring, summer and fall months in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Eastern Shore, Peninsula, Hampton Roads and North Carolina can boost your vitamin D level. |
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Vitamin D can be gained orally and is found in foods like vitamin D fortified milk, orange juice and other dairy products. Wild caught salmon, not farm raised, is an excellent source of vitamin D. |
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There are two forms of vitamin D for oral use – vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is given by prescription and usually taken once a week. Vitamin D3 is available over the counter with the normal recommendation being 1,000 IU/day. Our OB-GYN doctors say up to 5,000 IU/day can be taken in the case of vitamin D deficiency. |
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An interesting fact you may want to remember next flu season comes from a study that showed people who took 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 during flu season had a 91% decrease in respiratory infections! |
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If you are suffering from a GYN health issue and live in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Eastern Shore, Peninsula, Hampton Roads or North Carolina, please contact our GYN clinic at (757) 312-8221. Our GYN doctors are here to help you.
About our GYN Clinic
Our three female GYN doctors and Nurse Practitioner provide comprehensive gynecology services to girls and women of all ages in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Eastern Shore, Peninsula, Hampton Roads and North Carolina.
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