The Scoop on Vitamin D
OMEGAQUANT FOR VITAMIN D AND OMEGA 3/6 TESTING
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Without vitamin D our bodies do not work correctly. If we are deficient in vitamin D, we may experience chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, impaired immune function, some autoimmune diseases, including diabetes and MS. Some cancers are related to vitamin D deficiency. High blood pressure, complications with pregnancy, and cardiovascular disease are also related to a lack of adequate vitamin D.
The best source of vitamin D is the sun which disperses vitamin D into your body through a chemical compound released through your skin when exposed to the sun (exposure to UVB radiation), producing cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).
If we spend all day indoors or go out only in the early morning or late afternoon, we do not produce any vitamin D since the best exposure is midday for 15 – 20 minutes. Typically, light skinned people who wear a bathing suit so there is enough “exposed” skin, will produce about 15,000 IU of vitamin D in 15 – 20 minutes. Darker skinned individuals need more exposure – about twice as long to get the same benefits. Note that sunscreen blocks UVB and prevents the body from manufacturing vitamin D. Exposure to the sun needs to be done slowly and overtime to prevent sunburn.
For the optimal benefits of vitamin D supplementation, enough vitamin D should be provided daily to ensure that stable circulating concentrations of vitamin D are maintained. A serum 25(OH)D level in the range of 40-60 ng/ml is achieved and sustained. However, I believe these recommendations are a bit low and prefer to see the range between 60-90 ng/ml.
Once I tested at 144 ng/ml which, while high, is still not high enough to be D-toxic. I adjusted my D accordingly and my average D levels are at 80 ng/ml. With this level of D, I rarely get ill and if I do, the duration of my illness is short.
On a Mineral Balancing program, you can take the recommended 5000 IU’s daily – no worries. However, working with people all over the world and in a variety of climates, it may help to test D levels once after winter, and then again after sunny summer months.
I take twice as much D in the winter and maintain healthy D levels year-round. I am genetically predisposed to “low” D and testing was a valuable tool for me as it helped me regulate my D levels. The test helped me determine "my" personal vitamin D needs, yours may be different.
I always recommend Vitamin D with K2-7. The addition of K2-7 to vitamin D assures that the D, and calcium and magnesium that are part of your Mineral Balancing Program are delivered to exactly where they need to go in the body. With K2-7, calcium and magnesium may end up in the joints and tissues causing a plethora of illnesses.
My favorite D with K2—7 is Just Thrive because Just Thrive has an adequate amount of K2-7 to get the job done. You can order Just Thrive D with K2-7 here or visit the Healing Resource Link page on my site and look for the Just Thrive link under the Supplement Category. If you use these links, you receive a 10% discount on your order!
Contact me if you have questions or need assistance balancing your minerals, including vitamin D!
The entire contents of this website/article are based upon the opinions of Doreen McCafferty NLC, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Doreen McCafferty, NLC and her community. Doreen McCafferty encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. All information in this article is for educational purposes only and not designed to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.