Years ago it was known that a deficiency in vitamin D caused Rickets... a softening and weakening of the bones that causes deformities. It was thought that you simply needed to get out in the sun more or take some fish oil which tasted bad.
Today, vitamin D is widely available at food stores, drug stores, and health stores or conveniently on-line for purchase. But studies have shown that the level of vitamin D thought to be sufficient for good health are actually much higher than previously recommended.
From the National Institutes of Health:
| nmol/L** | ng/mL* | Health status |
|---|---|---|
| <30 | <12 | Associated with vitamin D deficiency, leading to rickets in infants and children and osteomalacia in adults |
| 30–50 | 12–20 | Generally considered inadequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals |
| ≥50 | ≥20 | Generally considered adequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals |
| >125 | >50 | Emerging evidence links potential adverse effects to such high levels, particularly >150 nmol/L (>60 ng/mL) |
* Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D are reported in both nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) and nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
** 1 nmol/L = 0.4 ng/mL
The Vitamin D Council says this:** 1 nmol/L = 0.4 ng/mL
Studies indicate that for proper health, serum vitamin D levels should be a minimum of 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L), with optimal levels falling between 50-80 ng/mL (125-200 nmol/L). These values apply to both children and adults.This means the Vitamin D council is recommending blood serum levels at least three times that recommended by the government.
Do your own search for vitamin D deficiency. It's not a cure-all, but it helps significantly.