The Sunshine Vitamin
Do you know what your vitamin D level is? More and more people do! Interest in Vitamin D levels has grown with the increased awareness of its profound effect on one’s overall health.
Vitamin or hormone?
In truth, D is really a pro-hormone, not a vitamin. Prohormones amplify the effects of existing hormones thus affecting multiple bodily systems. There are receptor sites for Vitamin D all over the body.
Why your Vitamin D levels matter
You may be asking yourself “why does my Vitamin D level matter?” It matters a lot if you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from the 3 biggest chronic diseases we’re at risk for in our culture today. As you probably guessed the Big 3 are cancer, heart disease and diabetes. These Big 3 all share something in common ... sub-optimal Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and the Big 3
Vitamin D helps your immune system stay vigilant for rogue cancer cells and pathogens - viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites - that we’re all exposed to on a daily basis.
It’s anti-inflammatory to the whole body, but it’s especially critical to your circulatory system, thus protecting your heart and great vessels.
It even helps your metabolism so you’re less likely to wind up with insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity.
Optimal levels
Your serum (blood) level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, abbreviated as 25(OH)D, is optimal at 50-70 ng/ml. If you have a personal history of cancer or heart disease, 70-100 ng/ml is best. Over 100 ng/ml is toxic and under 50 ng/ml is deficient. Your doctor usually orders this test, but you can get this test done independently with services such as this one.
To supplement or not?
Once you have a baseline level, you can decide how best to adjust your level.
The best source of vitamin D comes from your skin through sun exposure. However, depending on the latitude where you live and the color of your skin, you may not be able to make enough vitamin D on your own.
Since dietary sources are limited, the next best alternative is supplementation. I prefer to use a liquid Vitamin D3 oil-based version taken with the heaviest meal of the day. The fats and oils in the foods will aid in its absorption.
Do not use Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol or Drisdol) as it is synthetic ... use only D3 (cholecalciferol) as it is a natural occurring form that the body can use efficiently.
After you’ve been supplementing for 3-6 months, you’ll want to have your serum level re-tested to adjust the dosage as necessary. It’s best to be under the care of a practitioner so you can be monitored to prevent toxicity.
How big is the vitamin D deficiency?
It’s huge! Almost all my new clients are deficient. And the problem is not just confined to the U.S. and other first-world countries, it’s world-wide. ALL peoples are being affected by vitamin D deficiency.
So what are you going to do about it? Got D? Leave me a comment at www.sophozwellness.com/blog about whether you “got it” or are getting “it”!