physiological functions extend well-be- yond mineral assimilation and balance. Vitamin D is known as a pleiotropic hormone, meaning that it elicits diverse and multi-faceted effects. In fact, local vitamin D production governs the expres- sion of up to 200 genes. That receptors for vitamin D are found in so many organ systems, including the muscles, intestines, pancreas, and nervous system, illustrates its expansive and far-reaching effects. In particular, vitamin D regulates the


cell cycle, suppressing cell division and inducing terminal differentiation in order to generate specialized organ-specific cell types. It likewise regulates the pathway of cell suicide known as apoptosis, promot- ing this process of programmed cell death in neoplastic cell lines to prevent cancer. Vitamin D exerts various endocrine ef- fects, such as inhibiting renin and stimu- lating insulin secretion. It also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, and enhances host defense against both invading pathogens and tumor develop- ment. The vitamin D receptor complex regulates 3% of the human genome, and about 10% of human genes are directly or indirectly responsive to vitamin D. The effects of vitamin D are far-reaching, as demonstrated by the fact that a multitude of human cells, including bone, blood vessel, brain, breast, colon, immune, muscle, prostate, and skin cells express the enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 al- pha-hydroxylase. Also known as cyto- chrome P450 27B1 (CYP27B1), this en- zyme is responsible for catalyzing the hydroxylation of calcifediol to calcitriol, the bioavailable, metabolically active form of vitamin D that elicits effects at a cellular level. With regard to vitamin D production, researchers state, “…extra renal intracrine and paracrine 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis may critically af- fect the activities of many tissues and or- gans”.


Vitamin D and Sun Exposure: Friend or Foe?


Sufficiency of vitamin D is contingent upon adequate ultraviolet-B (UVB) radia- tion. Wearing sunscreen of sun protection factor (SPF) 30, a practice encouraged by the biomedical establishment, reduces vitamin D synthesis by over 95%. In effect, the synthesis of vitamin D begins when cholesterol in the skin is converted to


cholecalciferol in a reaction dependent on sun exposure. This biologically inert form undergoes further modifications, in both the liver and kidneys, to form the metabolically active 1,25-dihydroxy vita- min D3, or 1,25(OH)2D3, the main cir- culating form of vitamin D. The wide-ranging benefits of vitamin


D sufficiency may be the biological im- perative behind practices of many tradi- tional cultures, which worship the sun as the harbinger and genesis of all life. However, mainstream media, conven- tional medicine, and the prevailing cul- tural zeitgeist is to cover up, find the shade, slather your body in sun screen, and for pete's sake---avoid mid-day sun exposure. This is despite a prospective study


following 38,000 Swedish women for 15 years, where sun exposure was found to be associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (death from any cause), as well as significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality (death from heart attacks, stroke, and coronary artery disease). Further, whereas intermittent sun exposure was correlated with a 60% in- creased risk of melanoma, chronic sun exposure was protective against this most fatal form of skin cancer. Although burn- ing should always be avoided, habitual insulation from the sun is also detrimental.


Vitamin D Produces a North-South Gradient in Autoimmune Disease


Deficiency of vitamin D is implicated


in a vast array of conditions, including infections, hypertension, diabetes, cardio- vascular disease, depression, fractures and falls, and lethal cancers. Pivotally, vitamin D, which is critical to immune homeosta- sis, has also been demonstrated to be deficient in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, studies have found that autoimmune disorders occur more frequently in Northern latitudes where vitamin D levels are lower. Researchers attribute a marked glob- al latitudinal gradient in multiple sclerosis prevalence, for example, to differences in ultraviolet radiation exposure. This phe- nomenon is reinforced by another study that found an inverse relationship between regional solar radiation and hospital ad- missions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such that locations with greater sun


Feel Better with M


Compassionate, Individualized Care for your whole family


Back Pain Headaches


Digestive discomforts


Menstrual Problems and Fertility Pregnancy Discomforts Smoking Cessation Weight Loss


Depression / Anxiety / Insomnia ADHD and other pediatric concerns


Private session and Low Cost Community Clinic available


STILLPOINT ACUPUNCTURE 1901 Lendew St., Ste 11 Greensboro NC 27408 336.510.2029


stillpointacupuncture.com ST AD


Co


Imagine your life without the burden of your past or the anxiety about your future...


I can help. Donna Burick RMT, CBP, Par BP, BCC


Board Certified Holistic Life Coach Energy Therapist


Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner


CALL TODAY for your FREE 15 minute consultation 336-540-0088


donna@donnaburick.com www.donnaburick.com


OCTOBER 2017 21


E


C


N


H


I


N


E


D


S


E


E


I


C


I


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44