Published on November 14, 2024
Hear more of Carole’s story and send your donations to support GrassrootsHealth in keeping her inspiring light shining as brightly as the sun on the path to wellness for all
At GrassrootsHealth, we are dedicated to Moving Research into Practice by helping individuals understand the importance of vitamin D (and other essential nutrients) and by providing tools and steps for turning that knowledge into evidence-based action and results for better health.
Since GrassrootsHealth began, we have actively collaborated with the top experts, including our panel of 48 international senior vitamin D researchers, health professionals, policy makers, participants, and companies who offer products or supplies, to present a well-rounded, joint representation of the science. A recent example of such an effort was our 2024 Virtual Forum on Vitamin D, which brought together scientists and experts from around the globe to present the latest vitamin D research, offered for free to the public (the recording and ongoing presentations are available here).
We believe knowledge is the bedrock for achieving and maintaining good health. Addressing vitamin D deficiency and maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is one of the easiest, safest, most effective and inexpensive ways to impact health today. Help us help others to realize and apply this knowledge for their own health and that of their loved ones.
Donating to support GrassrootsHealth will positively affect millions of lives.
or send a check to
GrassrootsHealth
315 S. Coast Hwy 101
Suite U-87
Encinitas, CA 92024
We Thank You for Your Donation!
Shining On: Keeping Carole’s Message and Mission Alive
For those of you who have not yet heard, GrassrootsHealth founder and previous director, Carole Baggerly, passed away on Saturday, October 26th. Carole’s was one of the brightest lights in vitamin D advocacy. Share your story about how Carole or GrassrootsHealth has influenced you or your health. Join us in continuing the legacy she began by participating in the vitamin D advocacy movement.
Carole Shares Her Motivational Story: How GrassrootsHealth Began
Written by Carole Baggerly in 2017
At a meeting of the National Cancer Institute in March 2007, I listened to dozens of vitamin D researchers present information about their cancer studies. Some with mice, some with people, some positive, some with a null effect. As the meeting was in its closing, a panel of researchers was on the stage. Dr. John Milner, the leader of the conference, asked the panel, “Where do we go from here?” I was soooo excited! I had just had breast cancer treatment, had learned something about vitamin D, and I saw its potential for helping prevent cancer.
The answer from the panel: “We need more research.”
I was aghast. My heart beating wildly, I stood up and asked the question that created GrassrootsHealth – “Where is your sense of urgency?” and sat down. Very shortly, the conference was over. Then, the life-changing event for me: there was a line of scientists waiting to talk to me. Why? They wanted to know “How can you help me get the word out?”
My answer: “I don’t know.” In order to know what to do to help spread a message, there needs to be some sort of definition of what’s required. My husband and fellow researcher, Leo Baggerly, and I then traveled the US and Canada for 6 months in our motorhome to meet with the key researchers and ask, “What’s the message?” The Scientists’ Call to D*action was born.
The key message then was about the serum level (NOT the dosage)–get it to 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L). Their message hasn’t changed in 10 years. The serum level is the biologically relevant measure.
We can’t wait! We need prevention, NOW!
When we use the IOM’s recommended level of 20 ng/ml, and go to 40 ng/ml, we see a 71% lower rate of all non-skin cancer.
There is more research out there – many have reductions between 50-80%.
It’s time. We don’t need more research for this purpose — we need strong, determined people to take action. The data shows a clear reduction, no matter which endpoints you choose.
The process of prevention with vitamin D is extremely simple: test your vitamin D serum level, supplement to get to at least 40 ng/ml. It’s demonstrably safe (also by published studies), inexpensive and available.
What is the impact of starting today?
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.7 million people will be newly diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
If we use our 71% reduction number, this would mean that 1.2 million people could have been saved the traumatic experience of diagnosis, treatment, and maybe death.
1.2 million! people saved from breast, colon, and other cancers!
Now, we recognize that this doesn’t happen overnight, it is important to maintain vitamin D levels above 40 ng/ml for multiple years to attain the best results and maybe even above 60 ng/ml (150 nmol/L) for cancer and autoimmune diseases – but we have to start today.
We can’t wait!
Help create and sustain the sense of urgency to take action: What is your vitamin D level? The levels of your family? Your friends? Make sure everyone you know has this information and is acting on it. You, your family, and your community can be the start of putting an end to the negative health consequences of vitamin D deficiency!
Onwards!
Donating to support GrassrootsHealth will positively affect millions of lives.
We Thank You for Your Donation!
HIGHLIGHTS
Over 15 Years of Achievements & Results
What has happened in the 15+ years since our founding to support the mission of GrassrootsHealth? Let’s take a walk down memory lane together! For a timeline of what GrassrootsHealth, along with the help of our scientists, participants, and supporters, has accomplished over the years, read more here.
The Top Vitamin D Myths: What’s Fact and What’s Not?
Some of the top myths and misconceptions about vitamin D were addressed in our “Is it True?” blog series. These are examples of vitamin D misinformation encountered by many on a daily basis. Read and share this information, either via the blogs or using the Top Vitamin D Myths Infographic, which was created as an easy tool for anyone to use to help fight vitamin D misinformation. Learn more here.
The Misinformation Needs to STOP!
Vitamin D is essential to our health, and especially to a healthy immune response. Steps must be taken by all to avoid vitamin D deficiency; unfortunately, close to 90% of the US adult population is below the recommended level of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).
or send a check to
GrassrootsHealth
315 S. Coast Hwy 101
Suite U-87
Encinitas, CA 92024
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
