First let's talk about why vitamin D is so valuable. Vitamin D plays a role in many processes of our bodies. It helps our body absorb calcium and build strong bones. There is evidence that it helps prevent some forms of cancer. It activates the genes that release dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Studies show that it may be helpful in preventing autism, autoimmune disease, cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, heart disease, allergies, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, digestive disorders, asthma, arthritis, kidney diseases, pregnancy problems and the list goes on and on.
Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin. It is a hormone that helps regulate many processes in our bodies.
Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include...
- chronic pain
- depression
- excessive sweating
- fatigue/weakness
- hair loss
- impaired wound healing
- muscle pain
- painful or broken bones
- poor immune system
So what does any of this have to do with white privilege? Well 91% of people with darker skin are deficient in vitamin D. This is because their pigmentation requires more sunlight to produce the same amounts of vitamin D as a person with fairer skin. They can have Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D scores half of those of whites. This means that they are at a greater risk for all the diseases and symptoms listed above.
You may wonder if your doctor will tell you if you are low in vitamin D at your next physical exam. The answer is probably not. The reason is that these tests are expensive, not always accurate and usually not covered by your insurance. If you want the test you will have to ask for it and you may have to pay out of pocket for it. The test runs about $50-$60. Your other option is to just take it in supplement form anyway because studies show it will increase you lifespan and your quality of life.
How much should you take? It seems like there are many answers to this question but it seems that generally 2,000 IU for most adults. The elderly, pregnant women, those with darker skin and obese people require higher doses but it can become toxic if you take 10,000 IU daily on a regular basis.
If you haven't guessed vitamin D is my new favorite. I had a hard time with the ones that were oil based and calcium based but I found one that is rice based by Swanson and it seems to be working really well for me. :) And I realize that I have a lot of information here without a lot of source information, so please do your research and PLEASE take vitamin D and or spend more time outside in the sun if you aren't worried about melanoma.
In case you are curious these are my feelings on white privilege in America. Watch this video.
Update: I just got my lab results from the doctor's office and my vitamin D tested at 20.2. Normal range is 29-100. Since I tested that low, the doctor said that he would write me a prescription for it. Hopefully that will help make me normal. ;)
