Vitamin D

"Vitamin D"

Question: Should I start Vitamin D supplements?

Dr.Madan: Before answering this question let me first tell you a bit about Vitamin D

What you should know about Vitamin D?

It is a fat soluble vitamin that exists in various forms. The animal form is Vitamin D3 and the plant form is Vitamin D2. They are not biologically active; they must be modified in the body to have any effect. The active form is a hormone known as 1, 25 di-hydroxyvitamin D3 or Calcitriol.

How is Vitamin D produced in our body?

 

Vitamin D is not a true vitamin. Believe it or not the basic component of Vitamin D in our body is Cholesterol. Cholesterol is converted to 7 – Dehydrocholesterol. With the help of Ultra Violet – B (UVB) from sun rays 7 - Dehydrocholesterol is converted to Cholecalciferol and this is further modified in the liver and kidney to become the active hormone – 1, 25 di-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Fact Number 1

Think you are soaking up Vitamin D through office/car windows? Wrong. Glass blocks virtually all UVB, preventing vitamin D from being made

Fact Number 2

Applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will decrease the amount of vitamin D made in the body by about 99%.

Sources of Vitamin D

What is the optimal level of Vitamin D in the blood and how much vitamin D do I need?

The most advantageous serum concentration of 25(OH)D seem to begin at 75 nmol/L, with optimal levels being between 90 and 100 nm/L. An intake of greater than or equal to about 1000 IU may be needed for most of the population.

So, why is Vitamin D so important?

Nearly every tissue and cell in our body has Vitamin D receptor. Without enough activated Vitamin D in the body, dietary calcium CANNOT be absorbed. Calcium is essential for signaling between brain cells, development of bone, and tooth formation. Studies also reveal that low Vitamin D levels in the body are associated with:

• Increase loss of muscle strength and mass as we age
• Increase risk of cancers 
• LOWER LEVELS OF IMMUNITY – Maybe this is the reason for the recurrent cold and cough 
• Higher blood pressure 
• The development of neurological disorder 
• The development of diabetes

Did you know?

    Spending 20 minutes outside in the summer sun produces 100 times more vitamin D than you need. And once serum levels reach 150 nmol/L, any excess is inactivated.Thanks to Mother Nature Soo, in summary, following is what you need to do:  

1. Wake up 30 minutes earlier and bake yourself in the sun for at least 20 minutes. 
2. If you feel you have Vitamin D, deficiency get a 1, 25 di-hyrdoxy Vitamin D blood test. 
3. If you cannot bake yourself in the sun, ensure you get a good Vitamin D supplement. 

Hope this article is beneficial. Make sure your Vitamin D levels are adequate.

Health Advice

Health Advice 

From 

Centrepoint Healthcare

  

~ Diabetes Mellitus ~

Question: Doc I am 35 years old, quite overweight and Diabetic. A recent medical check up revealed that my fasting sugar was 177 and 2 hours after eating sugars were 350. Could you give me some advice? Thanks

Dr Madan: Diabetes is the world biggest epidemic. Younger people are being affected by this condition mostly because of their lifestyle.

My suggestion for you are as follows;

1. Pharmaceuticals - Make sure you consult your family physician to get the appropriate medicines to bring down your blood sugar.

2. Diet - Ensure you decrease your caloric intake to bring down your weight. Eat food  high in fibre like vegetables and fruits. Meat low in fat like fish or chicken are advisable. The Carbohydrates that you should eat are those that are complex like Brown/red rice, yam, oats and brown bread. When consuming a meal make sure you bulk up on fruits and vegetables first before consuming the meat and carbohydrates

 

3. Exercise - Make sure you concentrate on both aerobic and muscle building exercise to bring down your blood sugar. Muscles are the major consumers of sugar, hence the bigger the muscle mass the larger is the consumption and hence the lower will be your blood sugar. 45 minutes to 1 hour of exercise per day is more than enough. Whilst exercising make sure you use good fitting well padded shoes as Diabetes is famous for causing foot conditions like ulcers and sores.

 

4. Baseline study of your eyes, heart and kidneys - Diabetes per say does not cause a person to suffer. It is the complications that causes the most pain. Diabetes affects your eyes, heart and kidneys. Ensure you request your family physician to do test to ensure your organs are in top shape.

5. Regular follow up of blood sugars - If you have just been diagnosed with Diabetes, a monthly follow up with your family physician to ensure blood sugars are controlled is essential. Once controlled a once in 6 months follow up is sufficient.

Hope these advice helps.