Completely updated with the latest research, The Vitamin D Cure tells you all you need to know about this miraculous natural substance—today's best way to heal pain, prevent disease, and improve your mood. We now know that adding vitamin D to your daily regimen can net you unbelievable benefits, from reducing your chances of having certain kinds of cancer to gaining flexibility and youthful exuberance well into your seventies and beyond. And no, a dose of daily sunshine doesn't give you enough!

Groundbreaking research reveals the healing power of this simple, readily available supplement. Physicians, researchers, and vitamin D users point to mounting evidence that the simple act of increasing the amount of vitamin D in your body can cure or help treat a remarkable number of diseases and ailments, including unwanted pounds, high blood pressure, back pain, muscle cramps, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. Leading rheumatologist and researcher Dr. James Dowd reveals the causes of vitamin D deficiency and offers a simple five-step program that can prevent or alleviate a host of health troubles in a matter of weeks. Incorporating the latest diet and lifestyle advice, the program helps you harness the power of the "sunshine vitamin" to transform your life. Whether you struggle with arthritis or chronic pain from an old injury or you simply want to lose weight and get back to a body image that reflects your best self, The Vitamin D Cure can be your key to a better, more vibrant you.

• All-new recipes and meal plans
• Up-to-date information on how vitamin D helps prevent disease and reduce pain
• New diet and supplement breakthroughs
• New information from scientific studies, a wealth of clinical data, and case stories

Authors’ Note xi

Preface to the Revised Edition xiii

Introduction 1

Part One The Wonders of Vitamin D 7

1 Most of Us Need Way More Vitamin D 9

2 How Vitamin D Works 17

3 The Diet–Vitamin D Connection 22

Part Two The Vitamin D Cure Five-Step Plan 29

4 Step One: Find Out How Much Vitamin D You Need 31

5 Step Two: Sun and Supplement Your Way to Great D Levels 44

6 Step Three: Reduce Your Acid Excess by Changing Your Diet 58

7 Step Four: Cover Your Bases with Other Supplements 96

8 Step Five: Add a Little Exercise 106

Part Three The Vitamin D Cure for Total Health 117

9 The Vitamin D Cure for Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Heart Disease 119

10 The Vitamin D Cure for Mood and Memory 138

11 The Vitamin D Cure to Optimize Your Immune System 150

12 The Vitamin D Cure to Help Prevent and Treat Cancer 167

13 The Vitamin D Cure for Your Bones, Joints, and Teeth 179

14 Your Most Important Health Move Ever 201

Appendix A Vitamin D Cure Questions and Answers 205

Appendix B The Right Vitamin D Tests 229

Appendix C Acid-Producing Levels of Different Foods 233

References 237

Recommended Reading 275

Index 277