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Vitamin D testing should be viewed as preventative medicine

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Given the various diseases that are affected by vitamin D levels, experts say that vitamin D testing and supplementation should be considered a form of preventative medicine.

The healthcare system in the U.S. is currently very focused on prevention. This is mainly due to the fact that 75 percent of healthcare spending goes to treating preventable chronic diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Deborah Wiancek, a naturopathic physician in Edwards, Colorado, recent wrote in the Vail Daily that studies have shown vitamin D reduces the risk of heart disease, musculoskeletal diseases, multiple sclerosis, infectious disease and even some forms of cancer.

She said that individuals should consider vitamin D testing because just about anyone can be deficient. Wiancek said in her practice she treats a number of outdoor construction workers and ski instructors. Despite the high amounts of sun exposure these people get, many still have low levels.

Since there are relatively few natural food sources of vitamin D, individuals who have low levels may want to consider taking nutritional supplements.