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receptors are found throughout the body, including in relationship between low vitamin D levels and a the brain. Optimal levels are absolutely necessary to ormone called leptin. Leptin is a messenger molecule, ensure healthy bones and arteries, a robust immune made in fat cells, that communicates with the system, balanced moods and optimal cognitive function ypothalamus, letting it know how much fat is stored in as well as protection from hypertension, allergies, he body. It is the hormone that communicates that multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune your stomach is full. conditions, fertility problems and premenstrual Low vitamin D levels interfere with the effectiveness of syndrome. Most significantly, vitamin D has been eptin. Researchers at Aberdeen University, Scotland, proven to be protective against 13 different kinds of ound that obese people produced 10 per cent less cancer.'* Optimal levels of vitamin D are critical for vitamin D than people of average weight. The study good health. discovered that low levels of the vitamin in blood Here are some basic facts that you need to know __ interfered with the function of leptin. The study also about vitamin D. It is a fat-soluble steroid hormone ound that excess body fat absorbs vitamin D, stopping hat is made by the body as well as it from entering the bloodstream. The rom what we eat. In order for the 2008 study's leader, Dr Helen body to produce vitamin D Macdonald, of Aberdeen University's (cholecalciferol), the skin mus be Overweight Department of Medicine and exposed to ultraviolet light, primarily a-t14 Therapeutics, commented: "Obese rom sunlight. Vitamin D is further people, shirking people had less vitamin D and the metabolised in ine liver and Kidneys sunlight or not me between obesity and vitamin o create the fully active form o . eficiency was statistically vitamin D. Thus variations in sunlight taking adequate significant." oP day. sunscreen use. skin vitamin D sunlight or not taking adequate pigmentation and age will determine supplementation, vitamin D supplementation, thwart ow much vitamin D the body makes. thwart their their dieting efforts in another way. Low vitamin D levels have been shown to increase fat storage. A 2009 Canadian study found that weight and body fat were significantly lower in women with normal vitamin D levels than in women with insufficient levels.'’ It seems that fat people may be less able to convert vitamin D into its hormonally active form. A Norwegian study found that the more that participants weighed, the lower their vitamin he winter and 57 per cent in the D levels tended to be. The summer.”® researcher, Zoya Lagunova, MD, believes that obesity is Even though Australia is described as a "sunburnt" —_ associated with lower vitamin D levels since vitamin D is country and is one of the sunniest countries in the a fat-soluble vitamin. "Much of the vitamin D produced world, a surprising number of its citizens are severely _ in the skin or ingested is distributed in fat tissue, so acking in vitamin D. A recent report stated that as obese people may take in as much vitamin D from the many as one in three Australians may have low vitamin _ sun, food or supplements as people who are not obese, D levels.'” but their [blood] levels will tend to be lower. Obese For all those on a weight loss quest, vitamin D is one of | people may need more vitamin D to end up with the hose missing pieces that you've been searching for. There same levels as a person whose weight is normal,” she is overwhelming evidence that confirms the importance of stated.” eeping your vitamin D levels up to get your extra kilos How much less vitamin D does an overweight person down. Not only does it help achieve weight loss, it also = make? As it turns out, increased fatty cells can decrease improves other risk factors such as insulin resistance, the ability to make vitamin D by a factor of four. This metabolic syndrome and blood-sugar imbalances. means that if you are carrying extra weight, you may If you are feeling hungry all the time no matter how make only a quarter the amount of vitamin D compared much you eat, you might want to have your vitamin D to a leaner person. levels checked. What drives insatiable hunger is the Vitamin D is also an important factor in diabetes. Low Although it is known that vitamin D plays a vital role in the well-being of infants, children, adults and he elderly, we presently have a global pandemic of chronically ow vitamin D levels. It's estimated that 85 per cent of the American public are deficient, as are as much as 95 per cent of all its senior citizens.” Vitamin D deficiencies are also widespread hroughout the UK, with 86 per cent of the population deficient in dieting efforts in another way. Low vitamin D levels have been shown to increase fat storage. Overweight people, shirking sunlight or not taking adequate vitamin D supplementation, thwart their dieting efforts in another way. Low vitamin D fat storage. How much less vitamin D does an overweight person make? As it turns out, increased fatty cells can decrease the ability to make vitamin D by a factor of four. This means that if you are carrying extra weight, you may make only a quarter the amount of vitamin D compared to a leaner person. Vitamin D is also an important factor in diabetes. Low JUNE - JULY 2011 NEXUS ¢ 19 levels have been shown to increase www.nexusmagazine.com