Dr. Grant present a statistical paper looking at the global risk reduction that occurs with Vit D and the risk reduction that would come to population health. He estimates that in six Vit D deficient regions of the world, where average D levels are 22 ng, mortality could be reduced globally by about 7-13%. The average life expectancy would be extended by about 2 years considering the current state of accomplished research, by increasing the average D level to 44 ng. And this would all be accomplished for cheap. The least expensive way to live longer. Nice idea, right?

He notes in his paper that policymakers call for Randomized Placebo Controlled trials which he maintains to be nonsense. He argues that D is a critical life giving substance, not a drug. Drug needs RCTs. You already have D inside you. Arguing that you need to do an RCT with Vit D when we know you are low is sort of like arguing with a dehydrated man dying in the desert that you have to prove he needs water by an RCT. “Only two drops until we prove it’s good for you. Now, NO GRABBING. “ With long latency diseases, randomized trials, to meet the rigors of research, would require a group to standardize their sun exposure and then be followed for 10 to 20 years. It’s not going to happen ever.

There is a nifty way around the policy holders. Ignore them. Take care of yourself. You need to understand how D works. It is your bodies “maturation” hormone. It tells stem cells to mature into their intended adult form, allowing them to do their function properly. Virtually every cell line investigated so far has found Vit D receptors in them. Because it is a hormone, you need an optimal level. There is pretty good evidence that optimal level is somewhere in the 60 ng range, which is what you would get if you were to go to the beach every day for 20 minutes, or were a farmer in the tropics, or a life guard, or a tanning booth user three times a week. We all would get to 60 ng. And many of us, after many years, would have skin cancer. So, avoid the cancer and the sun. Take 5000 IU every day. Give your kids under 10 at least 1000 a day (or 5000 every 5th day).

What you also must understand it that much D gets hidden in fat tissue. Everyone needs a loading dose. Average sized folks need about 300,000 IU over a month or two. Bigger folks may need much much more. If you just start at 2000 IU a day, you will take years to get to a higher steady state, and may never exceed 30 ng. Most literature shows that 5000 IU a day will get you 60 ng for most folks, over about 6 months. Only a blood level can tell for sure. No other blood level will help you live 2 extra years.

WWW. What will work for me. Two years longer life for a level of 44. I can’t wait till they get to the ability to predict what benefit you have when you get to 64. Like the Beatles, “Will you still need me, will you still….when I’m 64.” Way ahead of their time. If only they had all lived a few years longer.