Q: What is the purpose of vitamin D and the consequences of being chronically vitamin D deficient. Thanks!
Ans: Great question. First -Vitamin D is not a vitamin . It is a hormone. It is manufactured in the skin from exposure to sunlight. Its precursor is Cholesterol and the cholesterol is transformed in the liver and kidney to its active form- vit D3.
Vit D has numerous functions.
It has been shown to protect against respiratory illnesses and the flu. So it is important to have adequate levels in the winter months and cold and flu season.
It has been shown to prevent 16 forms of cancer including melanoma, colon, prostate and breast cancer.
It has been shown that it helps asthmatics (studies say when vit D is adequate the meds work better)
It works with calcium to help build bones.
It helps build muscle and the immune system.
It may also be protective in diabetes and heart disease.
It is an amazing source of healthy function.
Its production can be decreased by liver and kidney disease, obesity, gastric bypass surgery, cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. Steroids, weight loss med orlistat, some seizure meds , cholesterol lowering meds (cholestyramine and colestipol), laxatives and rifampin (for treating tuberculosis) can all lower vit D levels.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, weakness, itching, weight loss, and confusion can be signs of too much vit D. levels are recommended to be between 50-100. Dosing for maintenance is 1000 iu / 25 pounds. Getting levels checked every year (more if you were deficient and had to take large doses to bring it up). Most adults do well with 5000 iu a day.
This is just a sampling of the wonders of Vit D.
Thank you for asking!.
We love helping improve the health of your family.
Dr Franz
Dear Dr. Franz,
My name is Dr. Anne Canty. I am a full-time faculty member at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange. I am hoping you can help me with my grand-daughter, Hope Anne, who lives with me along with my daughter (her mom). Hope was born in my home with the help of a midwife and received her first chiropractic adjustment at 5 hrs. old. Hope’s father is demanding vaccinations and is threatening to take Chrissy (my daughter and Hope’s mom) to court if she doesn’t vaccinate Hope. We have managed to avoid them up to the current time; however, Hope’s father is an arrogant, controlling, vindictive bully and it is “his way or the highway”.
Hope has never been to the pediatrician for an illness. She has been seen by a local pediatrician for “well baby” check-ups through 15 mos of age. We have a religious exemption in her folder at Dr. Ahmed’s office. She is a vibrant, healthy child with great language development as witnessed by many, including her day care provider. Hope’s father has her less than 15% of the time and has not paid back child support, nor is he paying enough child support for the amount of time he has her. Yet, he insists on controlling everything. My daughter is too fearul to challenge him with him continuing to threaten taking her back to court.
Chrissy’s (Hope’s mom) medical history is a remarkable one in that she arrived in the states from Vietnam at 5 mos of age. I adopted Chrissy, who now is 22 years old. She received her first vaccinations the first day after arrival. She was prescribed antibiotics for ear and sinus infex. and 8 days later diagnosed with active TB. After 9 mos of harsh antibiotic treatment, chrissy continued to be chronically ill as a result of her depressed immune system. Continued visits to the pediatrician for antibiotics occurred until I had had enough. I knew she wasn’t a well child. She continued to get regular vaccinations up through pre-K, even though I did not want them. I was a single parent and fearful of having social services take her away. I stopped vaccinations after the pre-k round. Chrissy developed dyslexia, auditory processing issues, etc and had to repeat 2nd grade. It is my belief that these learning disabiities were attributed to by the bombardment with vaccines and harsh antibiotics early in her life.
Hope has a hypersensitivity to insect bites, with large areas of swelling that lasts for day. We have pictures to prove it. Is there any way that you think Hope could qualify for a medical exemption with this hypersensitivity and mom’s remarkable medical history of learning disabilities? I know this is the only way that Hope would be spared from the crime of vaccinations.
I have made an appt for Hope, chrissy and I to consult with you at your first available appt in March. Do you think I should schedule for her 2 yr. check-up instead in the case that you would find just cause to grant her a medical exemption? Please let me know at your earliest convenience, Dr. Franz. I can be reached at 386-299-3922 or by emailing me at annecanty@aol.com.
Thank you so much. I am so desperate to save my grandbaby from her bullying father and the harm these vaccinations will bring to her.
Sincerely,
Anne Canty, Ph.D.