Category: Endocrinology

Over 40% of U.S. adults are vitamin D deficient, often without knowing the full story behind this vital nutrient. While commonly known as the “sunshine vitamin,” the question of what is vitamin D3 considered reveals a much more complex biological reality. It is not just a nutrient you get from food or the sun, but also a precursor to a powerful steroid hormone.

Osteocalcin, a protein produced primarily by bone-forming cells, is now understood to function as an endocrine hormone with far-reaching effects beyond skeletal health. This discovery has spurred considerable research into the potential benefits associated with maintaining optimal levels of osteocalcin for various bodily systems.

A 2019 review published in the journal *News-Medical.Net* identified estrogen as one of the key hormones found naturally in milk from all mammals, including sheep. This means that, yes, sheep milk does contain estrogen, alongside other natural hormones like progesterone. However, the presence of these hormones is a normal biological occurrence, not a cause for concern in typical dietary consumption.

According to the American Kidney Fund, elevated phosphorus levels, a condition known as hyperphosphatemia, often have no immediate symptoms but can lead to a dangerous imbalance. This imbalance occurs because extra phosphorus in the blood actively draws calcium out of bones and other tissues, highlighting the critical question: what happens if phosphorus is higher than calcium?

According to a 2014 review, an estimated 88.1% of the world's population had low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), underscoring a global vitamin D deficiency problem. This common deficiency often leads to confusion between the different forms of vitamin D, specifically whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the same as vitamin D3.

According to the CDC, over 38 million Americans have diabetes, a condition often characterized by high blood glucose levels. This state, known as hyperglycemia, can profoundly affect the body's systems, leading to a range of symptoms and serious long-term complications if not managed properly.

Approximately 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, with the remaining 1% vital for numerous physiological processes. Maintaining this delicate balance is a complex process known as calcium homeostasis, which prevents conditions like hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia.

Our skeletal system undergoes a continuous renewal process, known as bone remodeling, with a full cycle taking around 10 years. This dynamic process hinges on a delicate balance between bone resorption and formation, but understanding what inhibits calcium resorption from bone is key to protecting long-term skeletal health.

According to a 2018 study in the journal *Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences*, a significant portion of the global population is vitamin D deficient, and environmental factors, including toxins, contribute to this widespread health problem. Research suggests that various toxins can negatively impact vitamin D levels through different mechanisms.

According to a study published in the journal *Life Extension*, a blend of pomegranate and cacao seed extracts was shown to increase free testosterone levels by as much as 48% in men over eight weeks. This exciting finding suggests that the effects of eating chocolate on testosterone are more complex than previously thought, with dark chocolate's specific compounds offering surprising benefits.