The medical literature is constantly changing. New recommendations from studies dictate “new” correct guidelines to live by. The funny thing is that the more we study the more confused we become. We, as a society, are hung up on information. In fact, we have become obsessed by it. Always trying to keep up with the latest stuff, we now suffer from information overload and stress from trying to have it all make sense.

Here is a good example: Vitamin D and Calcium supplementation. A few decades ago, skin cancer was the hot topic. The studies said that the cause was too much sun. Recommendations to combat this “new hot topic” from the health “pundits” took it to “another level” and preached to avoid it all costs by putting on sun block, wearing hats and long-sleeves to avoid sun exposure. So, trusting that the medical community was knowledgeable in its recommendations, we followed their guidelines.  As a society, we blocked as much sun from getting to our skin as possible. If a little is good, more is better, right?

Fast forward in time to today – the medical community is finding that there is a deficit of vitamin D in the population and osteoporosis is rampant in the elderly, affecting people as young as their early forties. Now, to treat the vitamin D deficiency, we are prescribed synthetic Vitamin D in capsules, and bone loss is being treated by calcium supplementation and medication. This is alarming because the medical community is following “new” treatment recommendations to prescribe these medications to counter these “newly discovered” population health deficiencies.

Here is a conclusion from my “observational” study – the guidelines from 20 years ago also stated that sun exposure should be limited to 30 minutes a day. This is all the sun we need to provide a healthy dose of vitamin D for normal living. In conjunction with our daily sun exposure, drinking milk, eating salmon, eggs or cheese can also provide supplementation. Also, for calcium supplementation, eating cheese, salmon, beans, broccoli, yogurt and milk are some of the natural ways to give our bodies what is needed. But it doesn’t stop there. In order for the bones to become strong, we have to combine the calcium and vitamin D with exercises, specifically weight-bearing or resistance training. By stressing the bones, the body’s natural mechanisms will replenish the bones to keep up their integrity and strength. As you probably know already, bone is a living tissue and must be given nutrition just like every other tissue in the body for it to function properly.

But wait, there is more. All calcium supplements consumed is leading to an increase in kidney stones. The body is getting TOO MUCH calcium and, in some cases, not enough vitamin D, so the body is now reacting to this situation by creating calcium storage depots in the form of stones. Basic health taught us that vitamin D and calcium WORK TOGETHER to HELP form healthy bones and teeth (a form of bone) among other things, but if we get more of one and not the other, then there is an imbalance and the body has to react to that change to maintain what it believes is its normal healthy condition.

Observationally speaking, I have concluded that if we conduct our affairs normally and in moderation, such as a healthy diet, walking to the car, playing in the park, some light gardening, etc. and exercising on a regular basis, we will be just fine. If we “over”-anything to ourselves in what we think is good (blocking sun, being “super” thin, etc.) or bad (wrong foods, inactivity, etc) then we are creating problems for our bodies and minds.

I am not advocating stopping medical treatment if it is warranted. I am clearing the air on making sense of all the information we are fed on a daily basis. Let’s not forget that we must use some common sense and sift through the information shoveled at us and seek out the truth behind the studies. I know that turning to a physician should be enough, but this is not always the case. You must teach yourself to make sense of what you are being “told” and you are to decide what is right for you and your health. If confusion still exists, then turn to a knowledgeable pharmacist, a trusted source of medication information.

Until next week, stay well.
Dion