What’s the Hype about Vitamin D?
There has been a lot of discussion around vitamin D recently. One of the main points to understand here is that, much like thyroid labs, there is a difference between a so-called “normal” range and a level considered optimal.
Our Western medicine lab results create information about what is a normal range value by assessing the average levels across the population. Unfortunately, many (more and more every day) people are not at all healthy, never mind experiencing optimized health. An optimal range reflects something entirely different for most people.
The scientific research about Vitamin D is pretty amazing!
Scientists have discovered that there are Vitamin D receptors in nearly every cell in the body and for good reason! Vitamin D is vital for brain and heart health. It protects against premature aging and can prevent metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D is critical for nearly every aspect of health.
Low levels are associated with many common chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and Alzheimer's, to name a few.
The exciting news is that the scientific research about Vitamin D is pretty incredible and informative!
Did you know that a population study, as well as seven clinical studies, found that Vitamin D levels were inversely correlated with Covid-19 mortality risk? Read the study here:
While we may or may not know if this is true, this article is compelling information that heightens the hype about this vitamin supply!
Some signs of Vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, poor sleep, pale skin, depression or sadness, hair loss, bone pain or achiness, loss of appetite, poor immunity or frequent illness, and muscle weakness.
Some excellent food sources of vitamin D are:
salmon
butter
cod liver oil
orange juice (choose organic)
mushrooms
oatmeal
canned tuna (in BPA-free cans)
egg yolks
fortified yogurt
I think 20 minutes of sun exposure per day is a wonderful gift to give your body.
It is important to know that it is possible to over-supplementing Vitamin D, causing too much calcium in the blood. I do not recommend taking a supplement without knowing your Vitamin D levels. If you start a supplement, it’s best to recheck levels about eight weeks after supplementation has begun.
Visit my lab shop, and you can easily order it! Your body wants the Vitamin D supplement available right here in our lab shop!
As a functional wellness practitioner, I recommend that levels between 50-80 ng/ml are ideal.
In health,
Liz