Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient that an estimated 70% of the U.S. population is deficient in. It is so important as a micronutrient in fact, that we are able to synthesize it from the UVB rays of the sun. There are over 900 genes in our DNA whose expression is directly regulated by Vitamin D, and it is considered by many to be prohormone instead of a vitamin because it is promptly converted into its hormonal form called 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the liver and kidneys. There truly aren’t many more important micronutrients than Vitamin D and yet, not many people are aware of the impact that low Vitamin D levels can have within the body.

Vitamin D helps prevent DNA damage and systemic inflammation, both of which can accelerate the aging process. This amazing vitamin also plays a key role in the production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that has profound effects on mood, mental health, and overall well being. Other symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency can include muscle pain or weakness, mood changes or depression, fatigue, decreased bone density, and bone or joint pain, among many others.

There are quite a few risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency. Having high body fat levels, chronic sunscreen use, darker skin pigmentation, old age, and general lack of sun exposure all increase the likelihood of being deficient in Vitamin D. Our modern lifestyles have made us especially susceptible to Vitamin D deficiency as we are indoors more often, generally overweight as a population, and tend to not consume any food products that contain significant amounts of this crucial micronutrient.

Vitamin D injections are an excellent alternative to oral supplementation and have been clinically proven to be more effective at sustaining levels of the active form of Vitamin D within the blood over a period of 12 weeks.