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Do you need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D gets a lot of attention these days, for its role in supporting overall health, bone density and immunity – and especially now, when protecting our health has become more important than ever.  

Vitamin D Basics

Vitamin D is one of 13 Vitamins – and is classified as fat-soluble along with vitamins A, E and K. Vitamin D is made up of a group of steroids that is both a micronutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make – and plays a vital role in our health.

For human health, the most important forms are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol or “pre-vitamin D).

Vitamin D Benefits

Supplementation of vitamin D is associated with a wide range of benefits, and can help with:

  • The development, building and maintaining of strong bones and teeth;
  • The absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus;
  • Maintaining and supporting immune function; and
  • Supporting biological functions that play a key role in our overall health.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb critical nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc in the intestine during digestion, aiding mineral uptake by bones. It has also been linked to a reduced risk of osteoporosis [1]–especially among women who are more susceptible.

Vitamin D receptors are found on various immune cells and the nutrient has been found to help modulate both the innate and adaptive immune responses, which help your body defend against pathogens (disease-causing viruses and microorganisms). People with increased autoimmune issues and increased susceptibility to infection have also been associated with vitamin D deficiency. [2]

Vitamin D receptors can be found throughout the body’s organs and tissues which suggests it may play a role in other health conditions that researchers are investigating.

Vitamin D Sources

Vitamin D sources

There are three ways for the body to get vitamin D: sun exposure, diet and supplementation.

Vitamin D is nicknamed “the sunshine vitamin” because when human skin is exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet light – UVB) a certain compound (7-dehydrocholesterol) is converted into vitamin Din the epidermis. But there are many factors that can influence how much vitamin D your body makes:

  • smog
  • season
  • time of day
  • cloud cover
  • sunscreen use
  • limited outdoor time
  • amount of skin exposed to sunlight
  • age (ability to generate vitamin D decreases with age)
  • colour of skin (darker skin absorbs fewer UV rays)

Another factor is geography. In Canada, from October to April the sun’s rays aren’t strong enough to generate adequate vitamin D.

As for food, there aren’t many natural sources of vitamin D. Fatty fish (salmon, trout, mackerel), sun-exposed mushrooms, beef liver and egg yolks contain vitamin D, but aren’t eaten in quantities necessary to make them an adequate source. Some foods are fortified with vitamin D including milk, margarine, plant-based beverages, orange juice, and some yogurts and cheese (often made with vitamin D fortified milk).

While it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D naturally, there is a wide range of supplements available in tablets, capsules and liquid formulas. These simple additions to your everyday routine can help ensure you’re getting enough of this essential nutrient.

3 Things to Consider When Supplementing with Vitamin D

  • Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so it works best when taken with food, after meals or with other fats or oils – like omega-3 fish oils.
  • D3 comes from animal sources and is the form produced in the human body while D2 comes from plant sources. While both provide the body with Vitamin D, studies have compared supplementation and found that vitamin Dtended to raise and sustain blood levels more than . [4]
  • Too much vitamin D is rare and can only happen through supplementation (the body will regulate its production through sun exposure). Elevated levels over time can result in too much calcium in the blood which can cause uncomfortable symptoms or more serious issues. For this reason, it is best to adhere to Health Canada guidelines for dosages and to discuss with your health care practitioner.

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