Vitamin D And Disease:
Health Story

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, January 22 and March 5, 2005
Show 203

"Upwards of 50% of all adults and kids are chronically Vitamin D deficient," says Dr. Michael Holick author of the book "The UV Advantage." According to Dr. Kurt Kennel endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, "Vitamin D affects not just bones and teeth but also muscle function, immune function and organs such as kidneys and the heart." There is a proven link between Vitamin D and cancer of the breast, prostrate and colon. A lack of vitamin D causes osteoporosis in adults and rickets in kids, type 1 diabetes, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and even depression. Vitamin D is the only vitamin the body is capable of making. "Sunlight in short amounts can stimulate the production of vitamin D," says Dr. Pittelkow, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic. "About 5-10 minutes of sunlight, 2-3 times a week is sufficient," says Dr. Holick. "I had a patient with vitamin D deficiency who was crippled with bone pain. Once their vitamin D was back up to normal levels, their pain totally disappeared." Vitamin D can be a powerful medicine.