{"id":52950,"date":"2024-02-28T07:28:38","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T15:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/?p=52950"},"modified":"2024-02-28T09:03:15","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T17:03:15","slug":"if-you-want-to-know-how-to-get-big-vitamin-d-energy-start-with-an-at-home-lab-test-from-kyla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/blog\/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-get-big-vitamin-d-energy-start-with-an-at-home-lab-test-from-kyla\/","title":{"rendered":"If You Want to Know How To Get Big Vitamin D Energy, Start with a No-Cost Health Assessment From Kyla!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most important vitamins isn\u2019t really a vitamin at all. We get most of our vitamins from the food that we eat. While Vitamin D can be found in eggs, fatty fish, and fortified foods<\/strong> like whole milk, most people get it courtesy of that giant ball of fire in the sky. That\u2019s right, our own bodies produce Vitamin D whenever our skin is exposed to sunlight<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, our indoor, artificially-lit lifestyle limits sun exposure. Plus, while sunscreen is vital for preventing skin cancer (not to mention fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots), it reduces our absorption of this vital \u201cvitamin.\u201d In fact, proper application of sunscreen could reduce your body\u2019s absorption of Vitamin D by as much as 90%<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chances are you\u2019re not getting enough Vitamin D. Severe vitamin D<\/strong> deficiency affects some one billion people across the globe. In the U.S., over 40% of people have at least a moderate Vitamin D deficiency<\/a>.  While there are many ways of learning if you\u2019re deficient, low-cost at-home testing<\/strong> <\/a>is not only convenient but can deliver the results you need when you want them. Because after all, you probably want to get an A in having enough D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severe Vitamin D Deficiency Is A Growing Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might be surprised to learn that severe vitamin D deficiency<\/strong> is increasingly common in places like the U.S. For decades, in so-called First World countries, most people got plenty of vitamins and nutrients from the foods they ate. Today that often isn\u2019t the case<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In fact, many people at all income levels in the United States have severe vitamin D deficiency <\/strong>along with deficiencies in other essential nutrients and vitamins. That\u2019s partly because many people get a significant percentage of their daily calories from ultra-processed food. Just as an orange has much more soluble fiber than orange juice, ultra processed food has far less nutritional value than whole, unprocessed food. In Brazil, one study suggested that<\/a>, \u201cThe higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was inversely and significantly associated with the content of vitamins B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, niacin, pyridoxine, copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and zinc.\u201d In other words, the more ultra-processed food those Brazilians ate the more likely it was that they weren\u2019t getting enough vitamins like D. If you\u2019re wondering if something is \u201cultra-processed\u201d look at the ingredients. If there are more than a handful and you have a hard time pronouncing many of them \u2013 then chances are the food is indeed ultra-processed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even those who shun processed food may not be getting their recommended daily allowance. That\u2019s partly because the \u201cfresh\u201d fruits and vegetables available at grocery stores have often traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles. During the journey, essential nutrients and vitamins plummet<\/a>. In fact, vegetables and fruits that are frozen immediately after harvesting have more nutritional value than their well-traveled counterparts. Vegetarians and vegans also may not get enough iron or B-12, both of which are found in red meat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the U.S., severe vitamin D deficiency<\/strong> is \u201cstill prevalent in the United States, especially in non-Hispanic black Americans, women, individuals aged 20\u201329, and during winter,\u201d according to  a 2023 article in respected medical journal Frontiers in Nutrition<\/a>. If you\u2019re concerned about your own vitamin deficiencies, at-home testing may be the best solution. Kyla offers a primary care panel<\/a> that will not only let you know if you have a severe vitamin D deficiency<\/strong> but also offers a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP),Lipid Panel, Cortisol Test, total testosterone and more for just $99! Even better, the test may be covered by your health insurance..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet and the Big D<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to get enough Vitamin D from food. You can find this essential vitamin in tuna fish. It\u2019s also present in fatty fish \u2013\u2013 think swordfish, salmon, and sardines. If you\u2019ve been enjoying egg white omelets, you might want to start adding the yolk. It\u2019s another great source of vitamin D! You can even get some D2 from UV-exposed mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Most people aren\u2019t fans of cod liver oil, another source. Vitamin D is quite high in whole milk \u2013\u2013 something most people avoid in favor of skim. Fortunately, lower fat milks along with OJ and cereals are now fortified foods<\/strong>: D is added. Like whole milk, the other natural Vitamin D delivery system is increasingly shunned: sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a chemical reaction whenever our skin is exposed to the sun. A steroid called 7-dehydrocholesterol is broken down by the UVB light \u2013\u2013 the same light that can turn some complexions golden brown and others bright red. These tanning rays produce Vitamin D3. It\u2019s almost like the way plants produce energy through photosynthesis. Besides sunscreen (particularly SPFs over 50), hats and long shirts<\/a>, darker skin tones, living in places that are further from the equator and have longer winters, reduces your body\u2019s natural production of Vitamin D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Vitamin D were discovered today, it probably wouldn\u2019t even be called a vitamin. Instead of being kicked off the vitamin list the way Pluto was kicked out of the solar system, the big D is safely included as an essential vitamin. That\u2019s because its discovery in 1920 was an extraordinary breakthrough \u2013\u2013 responsible for the reduction of some serious childhood diseases like rickets. D was joined by a dozen other vitamins discovered over 100 years ago, but since then according to a recent Harvard Health article<\/a>, \u201cscientists have defined vitamins as organic (carbon-containing) chemicals that must be obtained from dietary sources because they are not produced by the body’s tissues. Vitamins play a crucial role in our body’s metabolism, but only tiny amounts are needed to fill that role.Although vitamin D is firmly enshrined as one of the four fat-soluble vitamins, it is not technically a vitamin.\u201d So, like those fortunates with a beachside bungalow on state land, Vitamin D was grandfathered in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Incredible Benefits of Vitamin D<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vitamin D deficiencies<\/strong> have been definitively linked to brittle bones \u2014 a problem for everyone but in particular a dangerous issue for those over 65. Ironically, a simple glass of calcium and Vitamin D rich milk could go a long way toward helping you maintain bone health<\/strong>. Unfortunately, many are either dealing with lactose intolerance or have decided that dairy products are unhealthy. If you can stomach a glass of skim, it\u2019s worth considering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s because Vitamin D <\/a>\u201cplays a critical role in maintaining bone mineralization by influencing calcium and phosphorus homeostasis,\u201d notes the 2022 Frontiers in nutrition<\/em> article. \u201cVitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with an increased risk of rickets and osteomalacia. Evidence has shown that VDD is associated with extraskeletal conditions, such as infection, cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disease. Recently, Pugach et al.  reported a strong association between vitamin D status and the mortality rate from COVID-19 in Europe. [That\u2019s why} Vitamin D deficiency has become a global health issue, which is usually linked to insufficient exposure to sunlight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the discovery of Vitamin D and its introduction into fortified foods occurred over 100 years ago, rickets is once again on the rise in the United States<\/a>. This can lead to growth delays and bow legs in children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not all. Less conclusive but still worth mentioning are studies suggesting a link between lack of severe Vitamin D deficiency and depression<\/a>. Indeed, that emotional boost you feel after a sunny day\u2019s stroll is at least partly connected to this incredible vitamin. Feeling your face heat up while sitting by an office window won\u2019t help \u2013\u2013 glass blocks absorption of Vitamin D. So does sunscreen, which also protects you from skin-cancer causing UVB rays. However, it\u2019s important to note that skin cancers linked to sun exposure are amongst the most benign, survivable forms of the disease<\/a>. Those deadly melanomas everyone is worried about are not connected to the sun and are linked instead to genetics. Indeed, they often form in places on the body that rarely see the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t burn in sunlight, exposure for fifteen minutes without sunscreen can get your D levels to normal. Of course, those with fair complexions or a history of skin cancer should be careful. Regardless, you may want to discuss any increased sun exposure with your dermatologist. Of course the truth is that even the most conscientious sunscreen latherers usually miss a spot or two in \u201cthe real world.\u201d Others only use it on their face \u2013\u2013 not their necks, hands, or feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Enough Vitamin D<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So what\u2019s the solution? If you\u2019re an American reading this, you\u2019ve probably thought, \u201cthere must be a pill I can take.\u201d Indeed, studies have demonstrated <\/a>that taking a Vitamin D supplement can help maintain bone health <\/strong>while reducing the risk of other diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re already using supplements and want to leverage your vitamins\u2019 life-extending attributes, then an important step is getting a data-driven, carefully curated<\/p>\n\n\n\n

longevity plan. Kyla proudly specializes in crafting personalized anti-aging programs. Each one is individually formulated using advanced data analytics to understand how your body ages. By analyzing your individual health profile, we can design bespoke anti-aging strategies \u2013\u2013 refining vitamin supplementation to an art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fusion of targeted vitamins with high-tech analysis paves a journey in which you clearly know how to keep your body strong, your mind sharp, and your spirit vibrant for years to come. Wondering if vitamins and other supplements could unlock anti-aging possibilities for you? Get strategic with Kyla\u2019s Anti-Aging Program and download the app today<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll soon discover how our proprietary AI engine explores your health background, identifies risks, and generates actionable strategies \u2013 with the guidance of medical experts \u2013 to thoughtfully integrate science-backed supplements into your life, mapping out a unique journey to a longer, healthier future.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Unfortunately, there\u2019s a problem here too. If you take more Vitamin C than your body needs, you will literally be flushing it down the toilet. Vitamin D is different. It\u2019s fat soluble, meaning it\u2019s stored in your body like that box of ten-year old granola bars you\u2019re keeping in case there\u2019s a hurricane or alien invasion. Take too much and you could endure everything from nausea to confusion, along with generalized pain and loss of appetite. So, the key is learning whether or not you have a severe vitamin D deficiency<\/strong>. That\u2019s why getting an inexpensive, at-home test<\/strong> from a reliable partner like Kyla<\/a> is such a good idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Wacker, Matthias, and Michael F Holick. \u201cSunlight and Vitamin D: A global perspective for health.\u201d Dermato-endocrinology<\/em> vol. 5,1 (2013): 51-108. doi:10.4161\/derm.24494 https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3897598\/#:~:text=Vitamin D is the sunshine,turn isomerizes into vitamin D3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. \u201cHolick MF. Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition<\/em>. 2004; 79:362-71 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cui, Aiyong et al. \u201cPrevalence, trend, and predictor analyses of vitamin D deficiency in the US population, 2001-2018.\u201d Frontiers in Nutrition<\/em> vol. 9 965376. October 3, 2022.  doi:10.3389\/fnut.2022.965376 https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9573946\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. BjarnadottirAdda, MS, RDN (Iceland). \u201cSeven Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Incredibly Common,\u201d Healthline. June 23, 2023. https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/7-common-nutrient-deficiencies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Louzada, Maria Laura da Costa et al. \u201cImpact of ultra-processed foods on micronutrient content in the Brazilian diet.\u201d Revista de saude Publica<\/em> vol. 49 (2015): 45. doi:10.1590\/S0034-8910.2015049006211 https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26270019\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Lall, Ashley. \u201cHow Does the Nutritional Value of Fruits and Vegetables Change Over Time?\u201d LiveStrong. December 21, 2023. https:\/\/www.livestrong.com\/article\/447449-how-do-fruits-and-vegetables-lose-their-nutrients-after-picking\/#:~:text=Respiration,to the University of Missouri.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Cui, Aiyong et al. \u201cPrevalence, trend, and predictor analyses of vitamin D deficiency in the US population, 2001-2018.\u201d Frontiers in Nutrition<\/em> vol. 9 965376. October 3, 2022, doi:10.3389\/fnut.2022.965376. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9573946\/<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. \u201cThe Nutrition Source: Vitamin D,\u201d T.H. Chan, Harvard School of Public Health. March 2023. https:\/\/www.hsph.harvard.edu\/nutritionsource\/vitamin-d\/#:~:text=It is a fat-soluble,control infections and reduce inflammation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. \u201cVitamin D and your Health: Breaking old rules, raising new hopes,\u201d Harvard Health Publishing (Harvard Medical School). September 13, 2021.https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/vitamin-d-and-your-health-breaking-old-rules-raising-new-hopes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Ibid. Cui, Aiyong et al. \u201cPrevalence, trend, and predictor analyses of vitamin D deficiency in the US population, 2001-2018.\u201d Frontiers in nutrition<\/em> vol. 9 965376. 3 Oct. 2022, doi:10.3389\/fnut.2022.965376 https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9573946\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Thacher, Tom D et al. \u201cIncreasing incidence of nutritional rickets: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota.\u201d Mayo Clinic Proceedings<\/em> vol. 88,2 (2013): 176-83. doi:10.1016\/j.mayocp.2012.10.018 https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3612965\/#:~:text=Insufficient dietary calcium is a,rickets in the United States.&text=The combined interaction of suboptimal,that results in nutritional rickets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Menon, Vikas et al. \u201cVitamin D and Depression: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Future Directions.\u201d Indian journal of psychological medicine<\/em>vol. 42,1 11-21. 6 Jan. 2020, doi:10.4103\/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_160_19https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6970300\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. \u201cTypes of Skin Cancer,\u201d Mount Sinai. https:\/\/www.mountsinai.org\/locations\/waldman-melanoma-center\/what-is#:~:text=Basal%20cell%20and%20squamous%20cell,being%20careful%20about%20sun%20exposure<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. \u201cVitamin D Fact Sheet,\u201d National Institutes of Health. https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminD-HealthProfessional\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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