Our Natural Bone Builder Formulation is scientifically designed to address the needs of men's skeletal systems as they progress through life. Men achieve maximal bone strength in their early 30's and thereafter bone density declines at a steady rate. Higher doses of Calcium and Vitamin D, which stimulates the absorption of calcium, have been shown in clinical trials to combat ongoing bone loss and keep the musculoskeletal system at its peak performance.+
Personal Message from Tony Mills MD...
The importance of Vitamin D to all individuals has come increasingly to light in recent years. Vitamins are defined as an essential food constituent that the body requires in small concentrations but that it cannot make on its own and thus must be supplied through foods or supplements. By this definition, Vitamin D is actually a misnomer because, unlike other vitamins, the body can produce its own Vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced from a cholesterol-like precursor in the skin which is then changed into the active form of Vitamin D by exposure to the UV rays of sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency was first recognized in children who had abnormally weak and poorly formed bones in a condition known as rickets. Adults can develop a condition called osteomalacia which is distinguished by weakening muscles as well as bones. The recognition of the importance of Vitamin D to developing bone led the FDA many years ago to mandate that dairies fortify milk with 100 units of Vitamin D per 8 oz. Unfortunately, fewer people are consuming milk today and this, combined with the warnings of dermatologists about the damaging effects of UV rays and the importance of wearing sunscreen, has led to an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D’s importance in bone health is particularly important for the young whose bones are developing and for older patients whose bones may be breaking down. But Vitamin D has more important contributions outside of bone health. Vitamin D has been shown to preserve muscle strength and to protect against deadly diseases including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and even cancer. Vitamin D is a potent force in regulating cell growth, energy metabolism and immunity. Vitamin D’s role in a healthy immune system is still being defined but we know that CD4 cells and CD8 cells have Vitamin D receptors on the cell and activation of those receptors can have major impact on immune function. In addition, Vitamin D has an important role in inflammation which we now know is the underlying cause of many health concerns, especially cardiovascular disease including diabetes and hypertension. Other inflammatory conditions with an link to Vitamin D include irritable bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. And neurocognitive dysfunction, a great concern for the aging population, has also been associated with low levels of Vitamin D. For all of these reasons, Vitamin D has assumed an integral role in maintaining good health.
So how do we go about addressing the issue of low Vitamin D? We know that just 30 minutes of sun exposure in summer can generate large quantities of Vitamin D and indeed residents of the tropics typically have ample levels. Having darker skin pigment however can severely impair the ability of a person to manufacture Vitamin D and global location (distance from the equator) and seasonal variation have a fixed and marked impact on the ability of a person to maintain adequate levels of Vitamin D. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies has recently reevaluated its recommendations regarding Vitamin D supplementation and new recommendations are that people should get a net of 800 IU of Vitamin D/day from sun, food, and supplements each day. Unfortunately, this level of supplementation often doesn’t get the vitamin D level up into the desired normal range. Most experts are recommending much higher levels of Vitamin D supplementation at 1000-2000 IU/day. Vitamin D is a safe supplement to take with little chance of toxicity or overdosage. Hypercalcemia is the biggest risk but it is only seen with very high serum levels of Vitamin D, much higher than what is achieved with routine supplementation.
Vitamin D insufficiency is an important syndrome that contributes to the co-morbidities that patients face. Recognition of the condition has led to an intense focus on its role and its treatment as we work to keep patients healthy. Ask you doctor about your Vitamin D level. Remember that even people in warm climates can have too little Vitamin D and this may negatively affect your overall health. Optimal Vitamin D levels are >75 nmol/L (>30ng/ml) and maintaining these levels often requires Vitamin D supplementation.
+ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
