Monday Motivation : Vitamin D

Vitamin D. Sun, Food, Supplement. Why its so important and what small things you can do to optimize
your Vitamin D levels. 

So many of us spend time trying to decide what supplements to take, where to get it, how much, etc... Another if the most essential and one of my most favorite of all supplements is Vit. D. This topic tends to be somewhat controversial especially in the past. There is so much more research and studies actively being published to show the importance of Vitamin D, how to get it, and why we need it. As a survivor of advanced stage 3 Metastatic Melanoma the sun conversation is especially difficult for me. I can actually share my doctors and my theory of where my cancer started and how, and the very likelihood the vit D deficiencies played a role in several factors of my cancer diagnosis and prognosis. I won't go into complete science over all of that right now. Vit D is actually a hormone that your body needs to survive, for bone health, for your immune system, hormone regulation, mood regulation, and more. 

Heres what you need to know:

1. Get Your Vitamin D Tested

• It's surprising that vitamin D isn’t automatically included in routine lab panels, especially since it plays such a vital role in overall health. Regular testing helps you monitor your levels and adjust supplementation if needed. Low vitamin D is linked to a variety of health problems, from weakened immunity to bone issues, so keeping track is essential.

2. Take a Supplement if you need it

• Adjusting your vitamin D dosage based on how you’re feeling is a smart strategy. Whether you're boosting your levels to fight illness or simply maintain your health, higher doses (like 50,000 IU) during specific times can help raise your levels more quickly. Working with your doctor to determine the right range for you ensures you're on track. Regular testing every few months helps keep your vitamin D in the optimal zone.

3. Choose a Clean Brand Supplement

• It’s important to choose high-quality supplements that are pure and free from unnecessary additives. Multivitamins can often contain a range of ingredients in varying amounts, making it harder to manage your vitamin D intake precisely. By sticking to individual supplements, you can ensure you’re getting the exact dosage you need, with no fillers or extras.

The sun is not your enemy. It is actually necessary for us to survive, our circadian rhythm, immune system regulation, melatonin synthesis, and cortisol production. (and more) Its the how and when that becomes the controversy. 

Here are a few places you can get some good information:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X2400280X

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8299926/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10239563/