March's Question is: How important is vitamin D? Should I have my levels tested or can I just take 1000 IU per day?
The short answer is … vitamin D is very important! This fat soluble vitamin is crucial for the prevention of many different diseases including but not limited to cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease. It is also important for mood, energy, and immune function.
Also known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is created by the body when exposed to sunlight. Due to our long winters during which we have short days and very little exposure to direct sunlight, Canadians have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. In fact, 75% of NutriChem patients who have had their levels tested are deficient! February and March are when people tend to be the most deficient as Vitamin D stores have been depleted over the long winters. This is also the time when we need our immune system to be at its best.
Many of our customers and patients are familiar with the benefits of vitamin D and have been taking 1000 IU (international units) during the winter. What many don’t know is that 1000 units is not always enough, and that often vitamin D supplementation is also necessary during the rest of the year. Also, someone who is grossly deficient will require far higher doses than someone who is just moderately deficient. Equally as important, patients need to be careful of dosing too high if they already have sufficient stores.
Blood levels of vitamin D are dependant on a number of factors including:
- Age
- Diet (vegans and vegetarians tend to have lower vitamin D levels
- Breastfeeding
- Individuals with darker skin pigmentation
- Weight
- Those who have specific medical conditions
- Those who are on certain medications that reduce the production or absorption of vitamin D
- Those who don’t have regular exposure to sunlight
How do you know what your vitamin D levels are and how much you should be taking?
NutriChem has you covered! Our Biomedical Clinic offers Vitamin D Testing and our Naturopathic Doctors provide recommendations specific to your needs. Vitamin D can be supplemented orally or via injection. NutriChem compounds vitamin D injections that can be easily administered during a consultation to rapidly and efficiently bring levels up to optimal.
Vitamin D testing and supplementation is relatively inexpensive in relation to its incredible benefit in both treatment and prevention. Actually, it’s so important that I recommend it to every single person reading this article. Testing your vitamin D levels are not only essential for understanding your health status but also for determining the proper dose you require. Test your vitamin D, and have it tested yearly to ensure that your levels are kept in the proper range.
Having your levels tested is easy! Follow these steps:
- Give our clinic a call to book a time for your blood draw
- Schedule in your blood draw appointment.
- Come in for your blood draw - takes less than 10 minutes!
- Schedule your appointment with your NutriChem ND to review your results and determine your dosage.
- Supplement with oral or vitamin D injection.
