Genetic Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency

Research shows that more than 75 percent of adults and teens in the U.S. may have low levels of Vitamin D. The symptoms of a deficiency can be extremely subtle, especially in the beginning, so most people aren’t even aware they’re lacking in this very important vitamin.

Symptoms include fatigue, low bone density, impaired wound healing, hair loss, depression, chronic pain not due to an injury or other condition, and frequent illness.

This number of patients suffering from a Vitamin D deficiency is believed to have risen over the last decade due to a variety of factors, including our more indoor lifestyles, increased use of sunscreen or avoidance of sun exposure altogether.  

Other risk factors for low Vitamin D include:

Having dark skin

Being elderly

* Being overweight or obese 

* Eating a diet low in Vitamin D-rich foods (fish and dairy)

Vitamin D plays a very important role in our bodies. It contributes to immune system strength, improved muscle and lung function, reduced risk of muscular sclerosis, heart disease and type 2 diabetes in children, and the maintenance of bone density to prevent osteoporosis.  

In addition, having adequate amounts of vitamin D can result in lowered blood pressure, improved insulin resistance, and reduced appetite, which can help with weight management.

But what if you’re mindful of your weight, include healthy sun exposure and consume a diet rich in Vitamin D and are still deficient?

The answer could lie in your genes.

The VDRtaq gene provides cellular instructions for making a protein called Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and determines how the body responds to vitamin D received from food and sunlight.  Mutations, or SNPs, in this gene, are not only associated with a person having insufficient levels of the vitamin, but may prevent them from responding to dietary changes or supplementation if not given in the right form or in combination with other carrier minerals.  Unless this gene expression is suppressed, conventional therapies may not correct the issue.

Epigenetic testing can reveal whether or not you have inherited a genetic predisposition to low levels of Vitamin D.  With that knowledge we can formulate a holistic approach to suppressing negative gene expression for better overall wellness.

If you suspect a Vitamin D deficiency, or if diagnostic blood tests have identified one and conventional approaches haven’t provided relief of symptoms, talk to us about addressing your low levels of Vitamin D from a cellular standpoint.   

At Infinity Wellness Center we can do the testing that will help formulate a successful treatment plan to optimal wellness.