Vitamin D and Calcium

Calcium

v Is an alkaline earth metal
Helps promote normal bone formation and normal growth in children

v 75% of Americans are calcium deficient

v The average person loses 400-500 mg of calcium per day

v When calcium levels drop in the body, this vital nutrient is borrowed from the bones.

Amount Need According To Age:
Institute of Medicine
Daily Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for Elemental Calcium in Men and Women

Age	DRI
1-3 years	500 mg
4-8 years	800 mg
9-18 years	1300 mg
19-50 years	1000 mg
51+ years	1200 mg
Pregnant or Lactating (under 19 years)	1300 mg
Pregnant or Lactating (19-50 years)	1000 mg

*These needs may increase for individuals with health challenges

Scientific Research Shows Calcium

v Help ward off osteoporosis

v Helps maintain normal blood pressure

v Reduces symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome

v Helps stimulate collagen production to reduce the appearance of find lines and wrinkles

v May help maintain normal weight in middle-age

v Promotes cardiovascular health

v May help maintain a healthy colon

What is Vitamin D?
      v       Vitamin D is not a vitamin. It is a fat soluble hormone.

Role of vitamin D
      v       Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
      v       Supports the maintenance of bones
      v       Supports immune health
      v       Helps maintain cardiovascular health
      v       Helps maintain normal blood pressure

A woman showned spine deform within 10 years without
adquit calcium and vitamin D intake

Production of Vitamin D

Vitamin D Deficiency

v   More than 1 billion people worldwide do not consume adequate amounts of vitamin D.

v   More than 50% of postmenopausal women taking medication for osteoporosis have suboptimal levels of vitamin D.

v   Without adequate vitamin D, only 10-15% of dietary calcium is absorbed

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

v     Limited exposure to sunlight.

v     The kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form.

v     The digestive tract cannot adequately absorb vitamin D.

      v     Obesity.

Who might need Vitamin D supplement?

        97% OF AMERICAN

       Especially:

v     Seniors

v     People with certain conditions, such as liver diseases, cystic fibrosis and Crohn’s disease

v     People who are obese or have had gastric bypass surgery

*** NIH: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements





Stay directly under the sun at noon for 4 hours with 85% body exposure will get 15,000 IU of natural vitamin D per day. From October to March, the sun is on an angle, even if we stay out longer, we will not get enough vitamin D through the sun.


Under the shade, we will not get vitamin D no matter how long we stay out.

Why Vitamin K2?

v    Promotes normal calcium absorption

v    Promotes healthy arteries

      v   Active form of vitamin K with highest bioavailability

v    Women with low bone density have been found to be deficient in   vitamin K

      v   Addresses the “calcium paradox”

Vitamin K1 vs. K2

v   Vitamin K1 -- found in plants

v  Vitamin K2-- produced in the small intestine. more biologically active

v   We can get K from fermented Japanese soy-food called natto, dark green leafy vegetables-- collard greens, spinach, brussel sprouts,broccoli.

v   Vitamin K move calcium to bone.

      v   K2 is transported primarily to the bones and blood vessels

v   Only 10% of dietary vitamin K is in K2 form

Benefits of Vitamin D and K

      ?    Helps maintain bone health

?    Promotes normal bone mineral density

?    Promotes proper synthesis of proteins essential for proper calcium utilization

?    Helps maintain cardiovascular health

?    Promotes healthy arteries

?    Promotes elasticity of blood vessels

?    Helps maintain normal blood pressure

?    Promotes healthy cells

?    Supports immune health