Strength and Health Through Synergy

There are benefits of Vitamin D for Menopause as there are for any other stage of life. The truth is that Vitamin D is much more than a drug, a supplement, a nutrient. It is a powerful steroid hormone that is naturally produced in our bodies when we have sufficient exposure to the sun without sunscreen.

You might be thinking “what about the danger of getting skin cancer because of the exposure to the sun?” Well, you’re not supposed to spend the whole day in the sun and get sunburned. The secret here is moderation as in other many things in life. Scientific studies show that a healthy person having unprotected exposure to the sun for 10 to 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week is going to produce sufficient Vitamin D all year around.

However, there are certain circumstances that may interfere in the absorption of the sun such as skin pigment, obesity, kidney disease, age, low estrogen, and geographical location. The darker a person is the harder it is for him/her to make Vitamin D because his skin works as a sunscreen. Someone who is obese cannot make sufficient Vitamin D because this nutrient is fat soluble and gets stuck in it, not giving the person any benefit. Unfortunately, someone with kidney disease cannot naturally make any Vitamin D at all because this vitamin has to go through the kidney before it can be used by the body. As the person ages the harder it is for him/her to naturally make vitamin D. There is a connection between low levels of estrogen and Vitamin D deficiency, even though we still don’t know exactly how this sex hormone affects the synthesizing of Vitamin D. People who live above the equator or far from it cannot make Vitamin D at all during most part of the year, except for summer and perhaps, spring.

There are definite benefits of Vitamin D for menopausal women such as better absorption of calcium; renewal and building of the bones; prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis – frail bones or osteomalacia – soft bones; minimizing of mood swings and depression; prevention of age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, colon and breast cancers, diabetes, and obesity.

The combination of Vitamin D and calcium is translated into healthy bones and no chance for bone illnesses. With the hormonal changes in the body, menopausal women are prone to depression and mood swings which according to medical studies can be minimized with the intake of Vitamin D. Plenty of studies show that prevention of colon and breast cancer is possible for women with sufficient levels of Vitamin D in their bodies. There is connection in adequate levels of Vitamin D and better usage of insulin in the body, minimizing the start of diabetes. There is a connection between calcium and Vitamin D supplementation with prevention of weight gain in women.

It’s good to know that the whole family can benefit from great nutrient. However, the benefits of Vitamin D for menopausal women should be taken most seriously. What I mean is if you have not been supplementing up to this point in life, there is still time to remedy your situation. Supplementing with the appropriate dosages of Vitamin D and calcium will not only help you to prevent the above mentioned age-related diseases, but also allow you to age gracefully without complications.

Come now, women, don’t be like an ostrich burying your head in the sand, pretending you don’t know the truth about the benefits of Vitamin D. The earlier you start your Vitamin D and calcium intake the better.

If you would like to listen to a 10-minute free interview with Dr. Holick, please click here.

To your health!

Ligia Fleckenstein

No studies have been specifically done on what Vitamin D does for menopause as of yet.  It was only in the last decade that doctors and scientists began to pay attention to Vitamin D. Since then, many medical studies have been done on this incredible vitamin and many positive discoveries have been found.  Those medical reports lead us conclude that Vitamin D is an essential element to the body no matter your age or physical conditions.

What does Vitamin D do for perimenopausal and menopausal women? If they take this nutrient and maintain sufficient levels of it in their bodies, it will help them to prevent the following age-related medical conditions:

• Osteoporosis
  As Vitamin D is critical for calcium absorption and proper bone building, women who are starting to lose estrogen are at risk to develop osteoporosis if they don’t get adequate amounts of Vitamin D. The combination of calcium and Vitamin D are imperative for both prevention and maintenance of bone strength.
• Certain Cancers
  Vitamin D has been associated with the prevention of colon, prostate and breast cancers. It is most effective in helping to prevent colon cancer, but nevertheless as it helps slow down malignant cell growth; it will probably work in any part of the body. Unfortunately, as we have been using a lot of sun block to prevent skin cancers, we have also been blocking out the much needed Vitamin D.
• Depression
  It has been shown that Vitamin D has a positive effect on low mood and cognitive performance. Since mood swings are common in the menopause years, anything that minimizes it, is worth trying.
• Diabetes
  Adequate levels of Vitamin D seem to have a strong association with your body’s ability to use insulin. Many studies have shown that this nutrient not only makes your body use the insulin, but it also makes the insulin more effective.  It also seems to prevent and/or minimize types 1 and 2 diabetes. A certain study showed that women who took 1,200 mg per day of calcium along with 800 IU of Vitamin D had a 33% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Cardiovascular Diseases As women start to lose estrogen, they begin to have the same risks for this disease as men do. There is some connection between low estrogen and D deficiency.  And D deficiency may affect your blood vessels leading to high blood pressure and consequently to other heart problems.Vitamin D is the best and the cheapest way to protect your life pump, your heart. If you are considering taking vitamin D to reduce your risk of heart disease, the best thing is to talk to your doctor about it and weigh it against your other risk factors and health concerns.  Studies have shown that supplementing with Vitamin D and calcium can lower blood pressure readings for hypertensive people.
• Obesity
  Women who are overwheight usually have low levels of Vitamin D. We don’t know whether the low levels contribute to obesity or whether obesity lowers the Vitamin D levels. But we do know that there is a link between the two. As research connects calcium and Vitamin D supplements with preventing weight gain for women, I believe that’s an excellent reason for you to start considering the intake of both Vitamin D and calcium as you get into this stage of life.

What does Vitamin D do for menopausal women? Can it really prevent so many diseases?  Absolutely!  It may seem unbelievable, but studies show that this is true. It’s really kind of miraculous.  So, let’s take advantage of it. As you get into your midlife, prevention becomes your best defense against those age-related health conditions. You may want to check the appropriate Vitamin D dosages.

If you would like to hear a 10-minute free inverview with Dr. Holick, who an expert on Vitamin D please click here.