Vitamin D: Not enough people take this simple test.

Vitamin D is a tease when you think about. I mean:

• There’s precious little of it in our food supply
• Some vitamin D is synthetic (like vitamin D2)
• The best source of vitamin D is easier for some folks to get than others

I guess that’s why more than 85% of Americans are vitamin D deficient!

Woah Dean, what do you mean “it’s easier for some folks to get than others”? Well, I’m talking about the sun. The sun is the best natural source of vitamin D.

Of course, it’s a lot harder to get enough sunshine in some parts of the world than others (I should know, living in Vancouver, Canada after all…)

So what should people living in the “less sunny” parts of the world do?

What to do instead...

Many folks take vitamin D3 supplements (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D supplements are a fantastic way to top up your vitamin D levels-- especially if you live in a gloomier part of the world during wintertime.

After all, your cells crave vitamin D all year long. That’s why I encourage family and friends to get their vitamin D levels tested. To know if you are deficient, you should get a vitamin D test this time of the year. Then, it’s good to get tested again in the spring or summer since your needs will change.

I recommend asking your doctor for a circulating vitamin D blood test. (Also known as a 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Test or 25(OH)D.) It checks your blood levels of 25(OH)D, which is the major form of vitamin D circulating in your bloodstream. It’s also the true barometer of your vitamin D status.

How much is “enough” vitamin D?

Well, the adequate amount of vitamin D is indicated by blood levels of 25(OH)D of at least 30 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or 75 nmol/L (nanomoles per liter). But optimal levels range from 50 - 80 ng/mL (or 125-200 nmol/L, depending on the form of measurement from the clinic’s readings).

If you don’t fall in these ranges, you should supplement. As for how much vitamin D you need in a day, the answer is “it depends”. It depends on you: your weight; your age; your current physical condition; and your blood levels results above.

10,000 IU per day may be perfect for some, but excessive for others. So please get tested and talk to your doctor!

After getting tested, you’ll be able to choose the right vitamin D supplement for your situation.

And when you do have nice sunny days, get out for a bit and enjoy! After all, just 15 minutes of sun can make 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D! (Regardless of how much vitamin D is right for you,10,000 to 20,000 IU is a generous amount.)

Another reason you need vitamin D (it’s just around the corner!)

Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, and therefore bone health. But you may not realize it’s also crucial for your immune system. Vitamin D helps fight off bacteria and viruses that tend to rear their ugly heads more often during winter (or “flu season” as it’s known!)

Naturally, that’s even more reason to ensure you get enough vitamin D during winter. So again, get tested, and start supplementing! Your bones and immune system will thank you.

Source: https://www.algaecal.com/algaecal-ingredients/vitamin-d/