Vitamin D is often thought of to be important for bone health and mood. However, it is important for general good health and helps with many body functions, like:
- Immune system, which helps you to fight infection
- Muscle function
- Cardiovascular function, for a healthy heart and circulation
- Respiratory system for healthy lungs and airways
- Brain health and development
- Anti-cancer effects
Vitamin D deficiency can cause a lot of problems. In fact, a study from Finland suggests that there may be a correlation between insufficient levels of vitamin D and the development of early Parkinson’s disease, and research has suggested that long term deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you may experience:
- Aching bones
- Weakness and pain of the muscles, joints, headaches or back pains
- Overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Anxiety
- Insomnia or excessive sleepiness
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Lethargy, fatigue or drowsiness
- Problems concentrating
- Forgetfulness
Know If You’re Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Most people have a vitamin D deficiency, especially for people living in the Pacific Northwest. It’s important to get your vitamin D blood levels checked by your doctor. The only way to determine the correct dose is to have your blood tested since there are so many variables that influence your vitamin D status. Talk to your doctor or naturopathic physician about getting tested.
Ways to Increase Your Vitamin D Intake
Exposure to Sun
Your best source for this vitamin is exposure to the sun, without sunblock on your skin. This is a balancing act when trying to prevent skin cancer and when you live in an area where sun isn’t always available. You don’t need to tan or burn your skin to get vitamin D. How much vitamin D is produced from sunlight depends on the time of day, where you live in the world and the color of your skin. The more skin you expose the more vitamin D is produced.
Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin D
There are only a few foods that naturally contain any vitamin D. Most foods that contain vitamin D only have small amount. Increase your intake of fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon, egg yolks, and Vitamin D fortified orange juice, soy milk, and cereals.
Supplements
If you are deficient, oral vitamin D3 supplementation is the next best option. It is suggested to supplement with natural vitamin D3 or a high-quality brand. Most people can take vitamin D supplements with no problems. However, if you have certain health problems or take certain medicines, you may need to take extra care, check with your Doctor or pharmacist for possible interactions.
If you have Parkinson’s and are vitamin D deficient, upping your vitamin D intake most likely will not improve your Parkinson’s motor symptoms. However, it may improve mental mood, strengthen bones (great in case of falls), and help with sleep, cognition, energy and pain.
Your take away: Get your vitamin D levels checked. Ask your doctor or dietitian for dosage recommendations.
Sources:
- The Vitamin D Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in California, educating patients, families, doctors and health professionals on vitamin D and safe, sensible sun exposure to improve the quality and longevity of lives.
- Holick MF. Photobiology of Vitamin D. In Vitamin D, Third Edition, by Feldman D, Pike JW and Adams JS. Elsevier Academic Press, 2011.
- Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010. Isobel Sleeman, Terry Aspray, Rachael Lawson, Shirley Coleman, Gordon Duncan, Tien K. Khoo, Inez Schoenmakers, Lynn Rochester, David Burn, and Alison Yarnalli.
- J Chem Neuroanat. 2005 Jan;29(1):21-30. Distribution of the vitamin D receptor and 1 alpha-hydroxylase in human brain. Darryl W. Eyles, Steven Smith, Robert Kinobe, Martin Hewison, John J. McGrath.
- J Parkinsons Dis. 2017; 7(4): 669–675.Published online 2017 Nov 1. Prepublished online 2017 Oct 4. doi: 10.3233/JPD-171122. The Role of Vitamin D in Disease Progression in Early Parkinson’s Disease.
- Plum, L.A. & DeLuca, H.F. Clinic Rev Bone Miner Metab (2009) 7: 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12018-009-9040-z
- Vitamin D, Third Edition by Feldman D, Pike JW, Adams JS. Elsevier Academic Press, 2011.
- WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on March 14, 2011