We need exposure to the sunshine vitamin on a daily basis for 10-15 minutes directly on our arms and legs.
Even consuming foods abundant in Vitamin D still hasn’t helped mitigate our society’s deficiency in this vitamin. We were genetically designed to get our vitamin D from the sun. So, if you live in Canada like me and work inside, you can assume you are likely deficient in vitamin D.
This deficiency can create a host of health problems:
Most people assume they get enough vitamin D and do not need to supplement – this is a mistake. Assume you are deficient or to be sure, get blood work to prove it. Your serum 25 (OH) D level should be between 40-60 ng/ml.
(Dosage: Adults-5000-8000 IUs/day; Children-1000 IUs/day/every 40 lbs.)
FOR WOMEN: For those who are supplementing to help with their bone mass, make sure you are considering calcium and vitamin K2 to help with absorption. As well, remember to be doing regular weight bearing exercises.
People who supplement often do not know what they are taking and often use synthetic products that either do not work to raise their levels or they are downright unhealthy for them.
I always tell my patients that I would rather them not supplement at all if they are going to choose a synthetic, cheap health-destroying supplement. ALWAYS read the label of any supplement you put in your body. You want it to be naturally occurring so you need to look where it is sourced – it should NOT be a synthetic process. What is your vitamin D delivered in – a good or bad fat? It should not be in a pill-form, but should be suspended in a high quality healthy fat. It should also have a high concentration of vitamin D per drop.
Be very careful in your choice of vitamin D supplement. Take your time in researching a quality supplement. One of my favourites is Innate Choice. It is naturally occurring from lanolin (D3) and delivered in 100% certified organic olive oil (stay away from those suspended in canola oil or other unhealthy oil).
If you know you are lacking in daily sunshine, be sure that your supplement is pure and readily absorb-able (stay away from “pill-form”), your health depends on it.
Be Well,