There was once a little vitamin called D, who got pushed around by the big A, B and C vitamins.
Nobody thought little vitamin D was useful.

Even little vitamin D.

But thanks to a large number of independent studies, it was discovered that little vitamin D possibly had some strong antiviral properties. And when winter came, everyone in the town looked to little vitamin D to save them.


Why is the little vitamin now looking so big?

In many of the studies, those most susceptible to viral infection were found to be largely deficient in vitamin D. Viral infections relate to things like colds and flu. And, yes, that also means the little piggy flu (small molecules, big snout…I mean, clout).

The Canadian government has introduced testing for vitamin D levels in H1N1 influenza (otherwise known as ‘swine flu’) sufferers.

America is pulling out the big guns

In the U.S., the NIH has introduced a huge study, involving a sample of 20,000 participants, to ascertain the effects vitamin D and fish oil supplementation have on overall health.

There is some suggestion that the previous recommended dosage may be far below what is required to create a therapeutic effect (i.e. a dose that has the ability to impact a disease state).

The American Pediatric Association in 2008 doubled their recommended dose for infants. Previous recommendations on daily required vitamin D intake are now being revised.


Forgotten history

Over the years, vitamin D has gradually been forgotten. However, we did know once that vitamin D is essential for the metabolism of calcium (in other words, our bodies ability to use calcium).

Yes, calcium is the one that everyone has been fooled into thinking only comes from cows. Those poor cave men must have had trouble milking those dinosaur-type cows. And I bet they didn’t call them Daisy.

Actually calcium is in lots of things we eat. Specifically…yes, you guessed it…‘greens’.

Anyway, what was I talking about…oh yes, vitamin D helps us to absorb calcium from food, making it available for the body to use for muscle contraction, bone strength, etc.


Saving lives

There is also a significant research pointing to the ability of vitamin D to markedly reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

As vitamin D cannot be patented, it’s less likely that pharmaceutical companies are going to spend the money required to truly research it. Why? Because there isn’t any profit at the end of their efforts.