Cracking the Vitamin D Dosage Code
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 6, 2024
When it comes vitamin D, I might be accused of sounding like a broken record. (Well, by those old enough to understand the reference, anyway.)
But I’ll risk that reputation, because it really IS a vital vitamin.
After all, vitamin D is essential for MANY health-related functions, including…
- Maintaining strong bones by promoting calcium absorption
- Supporting immune function and reducing inflammation
- Regulating cell growth and differentiation
- Modulating neuromuscular function and reducing the risk of falls
- Potentially reducing the risk of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disorders
And that’s just to start.
But how much should you take? That’s a great question, and the answer might surprise you…
A recent study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition shed light on how difficult it is to properly top up a wide range of people’s vitamin D levels.
The study found that one size DOES NOT fit all when it comes to vitamin D.
The study uncovered some interesting findings.
First, the amount of UVB light from the sun plays a crucial role in determining vitamin D status, even in countries like the UK that don’t much sunshine.
Second, factors like age, sex, weight (BMI), cholesterol level, and whether you take D supplements dramatically influence how much vitamin D your body produces when exposed to UVB light.
For instance, as you get older or if you have a higher BMI, your body’s ability to make vitamin D from UVB light plummets. This means that two people with different ages and body types, living in the same area and getting the same amount of sun exposure, might have very different vitamin D levels.
So, what does that mean for you?
Well, many things can change how much vitamin D you need, including your weight, age, skin color, how much time you spend outdoors, how much you cover up or use sunscreen outside, where you live, and a soup of other factors…
The BEST way to determine how much vitamin D you need is to visit your doctor’s office and request a blood test. Then, start supplementing and check your levels again.
If you really want to nail down how much you need, you should check your blood levels in winter and summer.
Don’t just guess how much vitamin D you need based on some generic one-size-fits-all recommendation. Instead, get your levels checked and take control of your health.
P.S. Weird vitamin D thief REVEALED!
Source:
Margaret M. Brennan, Jos van Geffen, Michiel van Weele, Lina Zgaga, Rasha Shraim. Ambient ultraviolet-B radiation, supplements and other factors interact to impact vitamin D status differently depending on ethnicity: A cross-sectional study. Clinical Nutrition, 2024; 43 (6): 1308
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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