Vitamin D and P

Not that there's a vitamin called "P" but more along the lines of urinary issues. More pee than the letter "P." We found more research that would verify our speculation that the amount of vitamin D that the government suggests as a maximum and the actual need that has been demonstrated beyond the recommended maximum. Toxicity is the government's concern yet researchers and the Canadian government exceeds the US levels.

"Syracuse gynecologist shows how vitamin D deficiency leads to urinary incontinence - ...found that women of all ages with pelvic floor disorders or urinary incontinence had significantly lower levels of vitamin D. Women age 20 and older, with high levels of vitamin D, had a significantly lower incidence of pelvic floor disorders; and women age 50 and older, with high levels of vitamin D, had a significantly lower incidence of urinary incontinence. Given the increase in the number of patients with pelvic floor disorders, further evaluation of the role of vitamin D is warranted, particularly future research to assess the relationship between vitamin D levels and pelvic muscle strength in women of all ages and racial/ethnic groups," he writes in his summary. Dr. Samuel Badalian says vitamin D levels should be checked annually. Taking 2,000 international units per day of vitamin D3 can provide healthy levels for most people, but those who are elderly, obese or who have renal insufficiency need more." - SYRACUSE.COM (April 20, 2010)

We're including the additional information on Vitamin D because the researchers claim that African-Americans are vitamin D deficient. While Dr. Badalian only suggests more he doesn't really say how much that much more is. The Vitamin D Council goes as far as suggesting 5,000 international units of Vitamin D per day. While the New York State law prevents home test kits for vitamin D deficiency and we couldn't find them at the Council's website if you're African-American it'll save you the costs of a kit. Whether legally available for sale or not.

"Are you vitamin D deficient? Your health could be at risk, but it's easily fixed - Almost without a doubt, the vast majority of African Americans are vitamin D deficient," says Susan Brown, a clinical nutritionist and director of the Center for Better Bones in East Syracuse. She says people with dark skin require about six (6) times the amount of sun exposure as light-skinned people to make vitamin D." - SYRACUSE.COM (August 6, 2006)

We haven't found the studies that says you can get more the 2,000 international units of vitamin D with a suntan. However, if we exercised we'd probably need less supplement and less sunlight. It's just that everyone can't get out but I guess that could be placed in the sunlight with shades. Of course our future would have to be "so bright that we'd have to wear shades." Then again we haven't really researched sunlight and its healthy benefits. However we have to admit George Hamilton doesn't look all that weathered. We do wonder what this millenniums George Hamilton would be. Who among today's youth consider the benefits of the tan - maybe Jersey Shore's Snooki?