Before I even start explaining to you why you need to be taking a vitamin D supplement in the winter months more than ever, let me share some facts coming from Dr. Mercola's website:
* Vitamin D deficiency is epidemic in adults of all ages who have increased skin pigmentation, such as those whose ancestors are from Africa, the Middle East, or India, who always wear sun protection, or who limit their outdoor activities.
* African Americans and other dark-skinned people and those living in northern latitudes make significantly less vitamin D than other groups.
* 60 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have vitamin D deficiency.
* Studies showed very low levels of vitamin D among children, the elderly, and women.
* One U.S. study of women revealed that almost half of African American women of childbearing age might be vitamin-D deficient.
I know most of us associate Vitamin D with healthy bones and teeth, but it goes far beyond that. Vitamin D is essential for cell growth, organ health, muscle strength, immune health, brain health, and mood related disorders such as depression, PMS, and insomnia. Studies from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have also shown 36 organs in the body that respond directly to Vitamin D. Do I have your attention yet?! Another quick fact for you-Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin, but a neuroregulatory steroidal hormone, which regulates around 2,000 genes in our bodies! (We have over 30,000 genes in our body, in case you were wondering...)
So how do you go about getting the proper amount of vitamin D? Well the most effective way to take in vitamin D is from sunlight, but since we are in the winter months, it is not as easy to do. What about milk?! I know, we all have been trained to think milk is the best way to consume optimal levels of vitamin D but milk actually does not contain any natural form of it. Synthetic vitamin D is ADDED to it and is only half as effective as natural and can block natural vitamin D's effects. It can also be toxic and affect calcium levels. That's right, we have been tricked all these years with those awesome 'Got Milk?' commercials! For the best vitamin D in the winter months, a D3 supplement will be most beneficial to you. How much should you be taking?! The best way to find this out would be to have blood work done to show exactly where your levels are at. According to Dr. Mercola's website, here are the dosage recommendations:
Children: 35 units/day
Ages 5-10: 2500 units/day
Adults: 5000 units/day
Pregnant Women: 5000 units/day
Vitamin D has also been shown to help fight the flu and common cold! If you have low levels of vitamin D, you will not be protected by your body's own antibiotics (antimicrobial peptides), which are released by vitamin D. This means that a person with a low vitamin D level is more vulnerable to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections. It just so happens that right around the time flu season is at its highest peak, our vitamin D levels are also at their lowest levels! Coincidence? Studies show not!
If you are going to use a vitamin D supplement, make sure it is a high quality D3-not synthetic! I use Innate Response D3 with 5,000 IUs in the winter months and switch to 2,000IUs when I am in the sun more often. Click the link below to receive 10% off your order!
https://wellevate.me/katie-ulam/#/
If you have questions or want to know more about your vitamin D levels, call the office today!