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4.27.17

vitamin d deficiency

each of us varies when it comes to the right supplements that match our body types, but one place almost all of us fall short is in the department of vitamin D. This essential nutrient — which is actually a hormone! — is known for reducing depression, boosting our mood and our immunity. As we can’t all move our office situation beach-side, we’re talking to functional medicine pro, Dr. Mark Hyman, about realities of vitamin D deficiency, and simple ways we can counter it…

What vitamin deficiency affects over half our population, is rarely diagnosed, has connections to many cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, bone loss and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis? The correct answer would be vitamin D, which actually isn’t a vitamin or nutrient; it’s a hormone produced from a photolytic reaction with ultraviolet (UV) light.

Many of us live in more northern latitudes (in 2017, that would be pretty much anywhere north of Florida), where ample sunlight is not available year round. Even for those who do have year-round sunlight, many spend most time indoors or slather on sunscreen when they do go out.That means we probably need to get vitamin D from our diet.

I prefer patients get nutrition from food whenever possible, but vitamin D presents some obstacles. Food sources are minimal, which is why manufacturers fortify dairy and other food products with vitamin D. Some plants contain small amounts of the non-biologically active form of vitamin D, such as fungi-yeast, molds and mushrooms. The best animal sources are liver, and especially cod, herring, and sardines. Still, unless we’re eating 30 ounces of wild salmon a day or downing 10 tablespoons of cod liver oil a day (highly doubtful!), we should supplement with vitamin D to get optimal amounts.

Among the obstacles for your body to make sufficient vitamin D include age. The average 70-year-old creates only 25 percent of the vitamin D a 20-year-old does. The government recommends 200 to 600 IUs of vitamin D a day. That amount prevents rickets, a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. But that begs a very serious question: How much vitamin D do we need for optimal health, not just deficiencies?

Much more than we think.

When my patients reach optimal levels, they frequently tell me how much better they feel. I see major improvements in their health. That’s why I put nearly every patient on vitamin D supplements, which are inexpensive and easy to take via softgels or liquid drops. At the same time, more vitamin D is not always better and very high levels can become toxic. These five strategies can optimize our levels to get all of this workhorse hormone’s benefits.

How To Optimize Vitamin D Levels

Get tested

Before you supplement with vitamin D, you should ask your doctor for a 25-hydroxy test.  This will give you an idea of how much you may need to supplement.

Take the right form

Use D3, not D2. Vitamin D3 is lanolin-derived, so strict vegans should find a lichen-derived D3. To improve absorption, take vitamin D with food that contains some fat, since it is a fat-soluble nutrient.

Take the right amount

If you have a deficiency, correct it with 5,000 to 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day for three months, but only under a doctor’s supervision. (You should ideally combine higher doses of vitamin D with vitamin K. Many better supplements combine these 2 vitamins.) For maintenance, take 2,000 to 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D3. Some people may need higher doses.

Get rechecked every 3 months

Since vitamin D is a hormone, it fluctuates for everyone differently. Seasonal changes affect it too. Different “optimal ranges” exist. Ideally aim for levels over 30ng/ml but not more than 80ng/ml.

Be patient

It could take 6 – 10 months to “fill up the tank” for vitamin D if you’re deficient. Once this occurs, lower that dose to the maintenance dose of 2,000 –4,000 IU a day. (Again, please confer with a doctor about modifying doses.)

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

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Comments


  1. I liked the detailed information about Vitamin D and especially the test you have recommended. Mostly people, just start taking vitamin medicines without knowing how much supplementation they require.

    Vivek Pratap | 04.27.2017 | Reply
  2. The Vitamin D Lamp by Sperti is a special UVB lamp made just for this purpose. The UVB rays quickly generate natural vitamin d, and sessions take only five minutes. It is a good sunshine option for the winter months, or for those who cannot properly digest supplements or get outdoors for sunshine.

    Steve | 04.28.2017 | Reply
  3. I was told by my doctor that I am vitamin D deficient however I was never told to take the D3 supplement. I love how you article explained that it is actually a hormone. I never knew that!!! Everything makes more sense to me now. My hypertension, depression etc.. is all related.
    Thankyou so much

    Denina Ross | 04.30.2017 | Reply
  4. What would be the proportion of K to D3?

    Kddomingue | 04.30.2017 | Reply
  5. I think it’s so important to get Vitamin D!

    Natalie Redman | 05.03.2017 | Reply
  6. If u wanna healthy bones and avoid osteoporosis u should think about vitamin D in your everyday life. Many sources of vitamin D btw in salmon, cheese, eggs and milk, but u can get it from supplement (I have review about it). Thx for sharing useful post!

    Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky | 11.23.2017 | Reply
  7. This is amazing. I think vitamin D is very important. There are many sources, and the idea of taking vitamin D supplements is not good. You need to get them at their natural form. As for my part, natural sources such as salmon, milk, and eggs is the best ever source you can take. Avoid processed supplement at all cost. Thanks for sharing.

    Zach Davis @ The Sleep Holic | 04.30.2018 | Reply
  8. Appreciate you sharing the specifics on vitamin D levels that you consider for norms.

  9. Vitamin D does not occur naturally in milk or cheese. If it is there, it is because the milk has been fortified with vitamins. Oily fish and egg yolks are good natural sources though.

    Betty | 01.17.2020 | Reply

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