The Sunshine Vitamin

Maintaining your vitamin D Level in a healthy range is important to many bodily functions.  Vitamin D is receptors have been found on almost every type of human cell, from your brain to your bones.  Researchers continue to find additional health benefits from vitamin D in virtually every area they look.  So far, scientists have found about 3,000 genes that are up-regulated by vitamin D.  Vitamin D effects calcium balance, immune function, insulin secretion, blood pressure regulation and cancer prevention.  All things that are kind of important for the body to function optimally.

Vitamin D is naturally made in the body (from cholesterol) when the sun’s rays hit the surface of the skin. It is also present in pasture raised eggs, deep sea fish and in cod liver oil.

If you are not able to get at least 20 minute of sun on your skin at least 3 times a week (like during the New England winter months), you may need to supplement with additional vitamin D.

Many doctors still consider a level of 30 ng/mL to be a sufficient level of Vitamin D.  However, according to the non-profit Vitamin D Council, “Studies indicate that for proper health, serum vitamin D levels should be a minimum of 50 ng/mL with optimal levels between 50-80 ng/mL.”  These levels apply to both children and adults.

What is you level of Vitamin D?  Don’t know?  Ask your medical provider about testing your vitamin D levels in the near future.  If it is more convenient, we can order a finger prick test for you to test your own levels.

The dosage of supplement that is right for you depends on your current levels.  This is why it is important to get your levels tested.  The Vitamin D Council recommends that healthy adolescents and adults supplement with 5,000 IU’s per day just to maintain optimal levels.  

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