If there ever was a top nutrient competition, vitamin D just might nab the title, according to Dr. Joseph Mercola.

So far, scientists have identified nearly 3,000 genes that are influenced by vitamin D status, and a robust and growing body of research clearly shows that vitamin D is critical for optimal health and disease prevention, reported the doctor in a Mercola news report, noting this includes some of the more difficult-to-treat conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis (MS).

“Most recently, a study presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) shows that vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly prevalent both among those diagnosed with MS, and patients suffering other neuromuscular conditions,” wrote Mercola.

The doctor points out that in related news, asthma attacks have also been linked to insufficient vitamin D status, and low vitamin D levels were significantly associated with greater frequency and severity of attacks in asthmatics, according to lead author Dr. Ronit Confino-Cohen, a senior lecturer at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, Israel.

“I think that if a patient has had good treatment for asthma and is still not controlled, maybe he should be checked for his vitamin D levels before adding on more medications. Maybe supplementation would do the job,” said Dr. Confino-Cohen.

Mercola informs that while the optimal level for general health lies between 50-70 ng/ml, when treating chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune and/or neurological diseases, levels should ideally be somewhere between 70-100 ng/ml, which is about double what is typically considered “normal.”

“The ideal method to optimize your vitamin D levels is through sensible sun exposure, or using a tanning bed. If neither is available, you can use an oral supplement of vitamin D3,” wrote Mercola.

For more information, visit www.mercola.com.