Dr. Michael Holick discusses Vitamin D: The Trillion Dollar Drug? with Dr. Ben Weitz.

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Podcast Highlights

In this episode of the Rational Wellness Podcast, Dr. Ben Weitz talks to Dr. Michael Holick, a leading expert on vitamin D. They delve into the science behind vitamin D, its health benefits, and its critical role in various bodily functions. Dr. Holick shares insights from his groundbreaking research, discusses the factors affecting vitamin D production, and emphasizes the importance of supplementing vitamin D, especially for children, pregnant women, and those at higher risk of deficiency. They also explore vitamin D's potential in preventing and treating various diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, alongside debunking common myths. Dr. Holick mentions the development of an app, dminder, to help people track their vitamin D synthesis from sunlight exposure. The episode concludes with Dr. Holick highlighting his ongoing research on menopause and mast cell activation syndrome.   00:27 Introducing Dr. Michael Hollick and Vitamin D 03:34 Dr. Hollick's Journey into Vitamin D Research 08:56 The Importance of Sunlight for Vitamin D 10:45 Factors Affecting Vitamin D Production 17:50 Vitamin D from Food and Supplements 19:11 Absorption and Efficacy of Vitamin D 27:47 Calcium and Vitamin D: Health Implications 29:58 Promoting the Apollo Wearable 31:31 Calcium Intake and Cardiovascular Health 33:16 Kidney Stones and Calcium Citrate 33:46 Vitamin K and Cardiovascular Health 35:54 Vitamin D and Weight Loss Medications 37:11 Critique of the 2024 Endocrine Society Guidelines 40:55 Vitamin D and Autoimmune Disorders 51:20 Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Benefits 53:52 Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention 56:50 Vitamin D and Type 1 Diabetes    

Dr. Michael Holick is the world's leading expert on vitamin D research. He is a Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, the Director of the General Clinical Research Unit, and Director of the Bone Health Care Clinic and the Heliotherapy, Light, and Skin Research Center at Boston University Medical Center.  As a graduate student he was the first to identify the major circulating form of vitamin D in human blood as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. He then isolated and identified the active form of vitamin D as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. He determined the mechanism for how vitamin D is synthesized in the skin, demonstrated the effects of aging, obesity, latitude, seasonal change, sunscreen use, skin pigmentation, and clothing on this vital cutaneous process. His website is DrMichaelHolick.org.

Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.  Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111.