Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression, cancer, and even heart attacks. But are these claims true? Should you get your Vitamin D levels checked? The House Call Doctor separates Vitamin D facts from fiction
Scientific American presents House Call Doctor by Quick & Dirty Tips. Scientific American and Quick & Dirty Tips are both Macmillan companies.
Last week, we discussed the importance of the parathyroid gland in regulating bone health. We talked about how the parathyroid uses Vitamin D to help perform its job. So let’s learn more about Vitamin D, often referred to as the “sunshine Vitamin” for reasons we will soon learn.
I frequently encounter patients who ask me about Vitamin D and request to have their “levels” checked. Vitamin D deficiency has received a lot of press in the recent years. It has been suggested as the end-all answer to everything from depression, to prevention of cancer, and even heart attacks. Most experts agree that the Vitamin D craze is over-hyped (as are many medical topics once the media gets a hold of them).
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Nevertheless, Vitamin D deficiency can be an important medical issue for some patients - but who? What is all the hoopla over this vitamin about? And if you live in Southern California or other sunny parts of the world, should you even be worried about Vitamin D levels since you tend to get enough sun exposure? Let’s find out.
Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.
When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.
Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber
Thank you,
Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American
