The Unfamiliar Roles of Vitamin D

Most of us are aware that Vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining healthy bones and mineral balance, but did you know that it has a range of other functions connected to chronic illness, muscle function and mental health? 

It’s been discovered that there are Vitamin D receptors in various tissues in the body.  As such, it acts as a hormone or chemical messenger directing a number of body functions.  It is considered a ‘vitamin’ because it is essential for longevity and quality of life. 

Decreased levels of Vitamin D can be involved in illnesses like cancer, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, high blood pressure, psoriasis, chronic muscle pain, weakness, depression and immunity. Incredible, right? 

The number of conditions that are linked to Vitamin D status highlights the importance of knowing your levels!  Signs and symptoms of deficiency can include:

  • Bone pain

  • Increase in fractures

  • Muscle pain

  • Fatigue

  • Slow wound healing

  • Depression, sadness

  • Infertility

  • Hair loss

  • Getting sick often

  • Sleep issues..

A simple blood test can tell you what your levels are (note that in Ontario, the test is not covered under OHIP unless you have a specific health condition that needs monitoring such as Osteoporosis).  

Both naturopathic doctors and medical doctors can provide a requisition for this blood test.


How can you boost your Vitamin D?

The major source of Vitamin D is through sun exposure, hence known as ‘The Sunshine Vitamin’.  Living in a region above the 37th parallel (if you wish to look at a map) with long Winters increases the risk of deficiency.   

So, it is important to get adequate sun exposure during the Summer months.  Other ways to increase your Vitamin D levels are through foods like fatty fish, cod liver oil, mushrooms and egg yolks - though foods in general do not contain a high therapeutic dose often needed to raise your levels - still, good to include in your diet!

Often recommended and easier to incorporate are Vitamin D supplements.  This can come in the form of taking softgels or via injection (similar to getting a flu shot in your arm). 

How much should you take?  This depends on your Vitamin D level.

As mentioned, it’s easy to get checked so inquire with your Naturopath or MD.

To learn more about the importance of Vitamin D or to get a requisition for bloodwork or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Vincenza Rotulo, ND by email:  dr.vincenza.nd@gmail.com or call 416.705.3289

 


  





Burnout:  How to Identify it and How to Recover

Truth be told, it has taken me the better part of 2023 to sit down and write a blog about burnout because I am quite, well,  burnt-out!

With two little ones in my life, working on finding balance as Mom and Naturopathic Doctor combined with a significant decrease in quality of sleep over the past 3.5 years; I find myself drained and often running on empty. 

Previously I incorporated lifestyle habits that helped me stay focused, motivated, energized and keeping up with activities like running, swimming etc..

Challenging with kiddos to find time for that now! More recently I find myself having a hard time falling asleep, staying up too late and having a hard time getting out of bed.  Previously enjoying but now relying on coffee for that mental jolt and increased energy (though it has the opposite effect on the body)!  I have very little motivation for exercise.  I start most of my sentences with “What was I going to say??!”  Exhaustion has creeped in and I seem to catch illnesses more frequently in the past year while having a harder time recovering.

One of the most common health complaints I have seen in my practice over the past 10 years is in fact burnout - which translates to other physical, mental and emotional concerns -  and an area of healthcare that I have helped many patients overcome.  Now I relate to their concerns and state of being on an entirely new level! 

What is Burnout?

So, what exactly is burnout, what causes it and how do we recognize if we have reached that state?

Our bodies continuously strive to maintain a balanced state, or homeostasis.  There exist multiple different factors which disrupt homeostasis.  Examples are environmental toxins, inadequate sleep, poor diet, over-exercise, unhappy work conditions, emotional trauma, surgery, chronic illness… all of which add up to stress.  Regardless of the source, the body’s Hypothalamic - Pituitary - Adrenal axis (HPA axis) is triggered to release cortisol in response to stress. Cortisol (among other hormones) is released by our adrenal glands:  small walnut-size glands that sit on top of our kidneys.  You can think of them as our central powerhouse. 

During a normal, short-term stress response, cortisol levels rise and fall fairly quickly.  This is a healthy adaptation to stress. However, when stressors become long-term or chronic, cortisol starts to be released inappropriately and our HPA axis becomes dysfunctional.  This has been commonly referred to as adrenal fatigue.  

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue may include: 

  • Wired but tired at night

  • Morning grogginess

  • Brain fog

  • Fatigue

  • Low libido

  • Frequent illness

  • Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless

  • Decrease in physical endurance

  • Muscle aches & pains

  • Digestive issues etc..

In addition to a clinical workup, there are additional physical exams and laboratory exams that can help with the diagnosis of HPA axis dysfunction. 


Ways to get back to your best self!

Restoring the body’s adaptation to stress is multifactorial and can include a focus on

  • Lifestyle habits

  • Diet patterns

  • Nutritional supplements

  • Intravenous therapies

  • Herbal remedies

  • Acupuncture

  • ..and more

If you can relate to or are struggling with any of the above symptoms, then I strongly encourage you to seek out Naturopathic care.  Naturopathic Doctors have extensive knowledge on the body’s physiological response to stress, have access to specific laboratory tests that can identify the level of impact and are trained in the above mentioned therapies to help restore your vitality.  


For more information on understanding and identifying burnout, or to schedule a consult with Dr. Vincenza Rotulo, ND, email:  dr.vincenza.nd@gmail.com or call 416.705.3289

Intravenous (IV) Therapy

WHAT IS IT? 

Intravenous (IV) Therapy is a method of providing nutrients to the body such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, delivered directly into the bloodstream.  From a holistic, naturopathic approach, nutrient formulas are custom made to support your specific health concerns. 

WHY IV THERAPY?

IV therapy provides the body with high therapeutic doses of nutrients that you can't attain through food or the use of oral supplements.  Since nutrients are introduced directly into the bloodstream, it alleviates work required by the digestive system to break down and transfer these nutrients into our bloodstream.  Instead, the administration of IV therapy provides efficient uptake of nutrients easily ingested by our cells, supporting the body’s metabolic processes.  It aids with energy production, supports immune function, helps speed recovery and stimulates the body’s healing for optimal wellness. 

WHEN TO USE IV THERAPY?

There are many conditions for which IV therapy is beneficial.  These include:

  • Burnout

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Athletic Performance

  • Immune Support

  • Pregnancy and Postpartum Care

  • Digestive Issues

  • Migraine / Headaches

  • Seasonal Allergies

  • Tissue healing & more..

IS IT RIGHT FOR ME? 

Prior to starting IV therapy, it is necessary to schedule an initial visit with Dr. Vincenza She will conduct a thorough review of your medical history and current health goals.  Recent lab work will be required to assess certain nutrient levels.  With this information, she can determine if IV treatments are right for you.  Specific nutrient formulas are created based on your individual needs.  *Referrals for IV are also accepted through your MD or ND.

WHERE CAN I GET AN IV TREATMENT?

Dr. Vincenza offers IV therapy at Movement Health Clinic in Windsor, ON.  IV formulas are compounded and administered in compliance with rigorous guidelines and regulations as set out by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.  Dr. Vincenza has been providing Naturopathy & IV Therapy for over 10 years in Toronto and has recently relocated her practice to Windsor!

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? 

Contact Dr. Vincenza Rotulo, ND directly at:  dr.vincenza.nd@gmail.com

To book an appointment:

Online:  movementhealth.janeapp.com

Call / Text:  519.567.2888

Email:  info@movementhealth.ca




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