Let’s face it, who doesn’t need a superhero in their life!? When it comes to nutrients, there’s one that has some serious superpowers— Vitamin D!
Power-packed with many benefits, this nutrient can help save the day for just about everyone. Quickly scan the bullet points below to help put your personal Superman cape on!
What is Vitamin-D?
A critically important signaling hormone, Vitamin D is essential for nearly every single body system and without it, a domino effect of demise begins.
What does Vitamin-D do?
- Helps control infections!
- Regulates production of hormones
- Regulates the immune system
- Manages inflammation
- Promotes healthy pregnancies
- Promotes beneficial gut bacteria and gut health
- Regulates mood and decreases depression
- Boosts weight loss
- Promotes healthy muscle function
- Promotes bone health when optimized with other nutrients like Vitamins A and K
- Prevents acute and chronic disease by protecting DNA
- Reduces cancer cell growth
How do I know if my Vitamin D levels are optimal?
Work with your doctor to monitor your blood levels with the 25-hydroxy-Vitamin-D test.
Optimal levels are difficult to describe because doctors argue about this A LOT! The “normal” range on your lab results will probably be from “30 to 70 ng/ml,” but please keep in mind that much higher levels may be needed to help optimize the body’s systems. If you have any chronic illness, and your level is 31 ng/ml, or even 55 ng/ml, it is possibly still MUCH TOO LOW despite being in the “normal” range!
Working in a close relationship with your doctor is key in achieving optimal levels of Vitamin D for the needs of your unique body.
How do I get more Vitamin D?
1. Get some sunshine!
Cholesterol is converted to Vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sunlight—it’s mysterious, miraculous, and a quick way to power up your levels. Individual skin types determine the amount suggested – and please never allow the skin to burn. Here are a few quick suggestions on unprotected exposure times:
- Very fair and light skin = 10-15 minutes
- Naturally tan = 15-30 minutes
- Darker skin tones = 30-60 minutes
2. Increase the intake of foods containing Vitamin D :
- oily fish (salmon, sardines, cod liver oil)
- grass-fed beef liver (a very healthy and delicious food!)
- egg yolks
- Sun-dried-mushrooms (interestingly, the mushroom makes vitamin D from sunlight just like we do!)
3. Supplement
Many people with a chronic illness will need supplemental vitamin D despite good dietary intake and moderate sun exposure. Supplementing in careful balance with Vitamins D3, Vitamin A (retinols), and K1 / K2 is a safe and healthy way to ensure the nutrients get to the right places to support your body’s health. Remember to work closely with your doctor to monitor levels and achieve the ideal value for your body’s specific needs.
