Can YOU Benefit From Some Vitamin D?

In case you are wondering how to answer that question. The answer is YES! Yes, you can benefit from some Vitamin D. Top health experts claim that the benefits of vitamin D prove to be some of the most significant research revelations of our time.

While most of us equate Vitamin D with fond memories of sunshine on a warm day, not all of us live in areas that provide this weather on a consistent basis. And more so, in  the dead of Winter, our bodies still require the very valuable Vitamin D. The question is, how do we get it?

I vote we all go on a trip to Bora Bora together? Don’t you?  ; )

Back to business. Whenever it’s possible to absorb direct sunlight, we should do so during the middle of the day. This helps our skin produce more Vitamin D3 as UVB rays are strongest during this time and the angle of the rays are not blocked as the sun is at its highest peak.

Here’s a tip.

Don’t fall prey to mass messages claiming ALL sun exposure is dangerous. This is simply not true. We need not douse ourselves with sunscreen and forgo soaking up 15-20 minutes of daily, direct exposure that actually provides a healthy, natural dosage of the Vitamin D.

Should you determine that you’ll spend more time in the sun, apply some natural sunscreen like coconut oil or jojoba oil that provides about 10 SPF. There are some higher SPF sunscreens that aren’t bad on the market, just make sure to research quality sunscreens that forgo harmful chemicals.

Understand that Vitamin D shows up in two ways. Sunshine is the obvious, and most complete form of Vitamin D, or D_3. Then there is Vitamin D_2.,that is made by plants. This is often found it fortified food and drinks like cereal, milk and orange juice. Also, we can acquire Vitamin D through consuming fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, cod liver oil (Yum!), organic milk, farm fresh eggs and wild caught salmon. It’s a tall order for many, and again, the best way to get Vitamin D is by enjoying some sunshine in the middle of the day. For most of us, the ability to acquire enough Vitamin D via our food sources and sunshine is still lacking. However, we can supplement. I will get to this later.

Should I supplement?

Using a reliable Vitamin D₃ supplement is recommendable. After all, over 40% percent of the U.S. population is deficient in Vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of many degenerative diseases. While cancer has been one of the most discussed in literature, Vitamin D deficiencies have also been linked to type 1 Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Osteoporosis. Multiple Sclerosis, and Crohn’s. Enough about Vitamin D deficiency! Let’s move onto brighter news.

Did you know there are many benefits that Vitamin D research touts? Vitamin D can help increase bone density and decrease fractures. It can reduce inflammation, enhance the immune system, help control our appetites, and ease muscle aches. And these are only some highlighted benefits.

Is Vitamin D a friend you want playing on your health team? I’m guessing yes due to its many benefits. What you might be wondering is the following: How do I know if I’m deficient in Vitamin D, and/or how much Vitamin D do I need?

Vitamin D Testing

You have some simple choices to make. You can have your doctor run a blood test called the 25(OH), or do-it-yourself. Currently, the 25(OH) test is the only blood test that measures the amount of Vitamin D your body is receiving. If you don’t want to wait until your next doctor’s visit and live in the U.S,. you can also purchase a very affordable in-home 25(OH)D test kit, through the Vitamin D Council. Here’s a great resource for you to understand more how the testing works.

The Vitamin D Council suggests that a level of 50 ng/ml is the ideal level to aim for. Many of us fall far below this. Here’s a personal story, as a girl born and raised in Texas and having supplemented 2000-3000 IU/day of Vitamin D₃ with K (to help absorb), I was one of two patients that had Vitamin D levels above normal. I remember my doctor was confused and yet pleasantly surprised by my results. Applying what I had learned top-notch doctors and nutritionists and spending quality time in the sunshine, my blood work showed that I was above average! Woot! Woot!

I remember having a very positive discussion with my doctor the day my blood work arrived. It turns out she was taking the same brand I have been using for several years now. If you want to see how you can get your hands on it too, click here.

While the Vitamin D Council recommends that adults take 5,000 IU/day of vitamin D supplement in order to reach and stay at this level, other Vitamin D experts claim that 2000 IU/day will suffice. The important thing to know is this, if you are deficient in Vitamin D, or know you simply aren’t getting enough sunshine especially during gray seasons, go ahead and supplement. Prevention can go a long way until the Sun comes back around to play.

Chime In!

Have you ever tested your Vitamin D levels? If so, how did it go? And if not, will you take action soon?