Chiropractors have been aware of the benefits of Vitamin D for decades, as nutrition is an integral part of natural healthcare. It was eventually adopted by the medical community, and is now a common blood test provided to patients for evaluation . Vitamin D is not really a traditional vitamin, but rather acts as a hormone to help the absorption of calcium. Calcium can *only* be absorbed in the presence of Vitamin D. Furthermore, not only does Vitamin D help maintain bone density, but it also plays a role in immunity, and is an effective anti-viral!
Both Vitamin D and Vitamin K are fat-soluble and are also found in food. Vitamin D is found in fatty fishes and fish oil. Vitamin K is found in leafy greens, mushrooms, fermented vegetables, beans, some cheeses, egg yolk, and beef liver. Figuring out how much of these nutrients are present in each food is a bit cumbersome, which is one of the reasons why supplements are a surefire way to get the nutrition that you need!
So why do we need Vitamin K? Vitamin K activates the protein that promotes calcification of bone and also reduces the calcification of soft tissues (arthritis). It’s also responsible for blood clotting. So while it can be helpful for bone density, it should not be taken by people with high platelet counts.
Who needs Vitamin D the most?
- In New England, a good percentage of people are deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is largely absorbed from the sun!
- The lighter the skin people have, the more Vitamin D they absorb, which was an evolutionary adaptation due to the fact that usually fairer-skinned peoples lived in places without much sun. Dr. John Campbell, whose YouTube channel tracked the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic found that darker skinned people in northern parts of the country were the most affected by the virus, when gathering statistical data.
- Peri- and post-menopausal women are also often low in Vitamin D. With menopause, estrogen begins to deplete, and estrogen is vital for preventing bone loss.
- Pregnant women tend to also be Vitamin D deficient, as her nutrients are being shared by the growing baby!
Vitamin D with K is such an important supplement to add to your daily regimen. If you have any questions, or are interested in a consult please email me at [email protected]
Performance Health Center carries Metagenics products, and their Vitamin D with K supplement is phenomenal (I’ve been taking it for years)! Pick up your bottle today