Yes- Even in the Summer, Your Vitamin D is Low!

Chances are, you need Vitamin D Supplements— even in the summertime!

Sunlight is the most common and efficient source of vitamin D. We often think were getting enough vitamin D (cholecalciferol) from the sun in the summer months alone but through clinical experience and testing vitamin D levels through the blood, it’s usually not enough! Ideally we want our functional levels of vitamin D at about 80 ng/mL and others with autoimmune issues at 100 ng/mL. Unfortunately most patients tested are falling below 30 ng/mL and supplementation through a good sourced, highly absorbable form of vitamin D is needed.

How Vitamin D Helps Us

  • Maintain the health of bones and teeth.

  • Support the health of the immune system, brain, and nervous system.

  • Regulates insulin levels and aid diabetes management.

  • Support lung function and cardiovascular health.

  • Influence the expression of genes involved in cancer development.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency May Include

  • Becoming sick or contracting an infected more often

  • Fatigue

  • Painful bones and back, muscle pain

  • Depressed mood

  • Impaired wound healing

  • Hair loss

Food Sources

The richest food sources of vitamin D are fish oil and fatty fish including cod liver oil, herring, sockeye salmon, sardines, tuna, and eggs. 

Left untreated, chronically low levels of Vitamin D can lead to issues of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases.

In a randomized clinical trial, sunlight exposure or vitamin D supplementation for vitamin D-deficient non-western immigrants: a randomized clinical trial.  States, “Vitamin D supplementation is more effective than advised sunlight exposure for treating vitamin D deficiency” Although several other research sources still support moderate amounts of sunlight in addition to vitamin D supplementation.

Sensible sun exposure on bare skin for 5-10 minutes is recommended 2-3 times per week allows most people to produce sufficient vitamin D, but vitamin D breaks down quite quickly, meaning that stores can run low, especially in winter.

What is the Right Amount of Vitamin D:

Each person should be familiar with their current vitamin D levels to know if they require maintenance or loading dose based on those levels. By working with a Functional Medicine Practitioner to check these levels and others can help you improve your quality of health. Also help you in choosing appropriate dietary recommendations and taking the correct supplements.