It seems like lately Vitamin D has been at the center of so many articles regarding a supplement that perhaps everyone should be taking. The questions however remain as to how much if at all and why? There has been so much literature of late published regarding the important possible health benefits of vitamin D ranging from improvement in immune system function including COVID, musculoskeletal problems, as well as a recent study linking low vitamin D levels with certain autoimmune disorders just to name a few.
The first thing we need to understand about Vitamin D is that although it has often been referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” simply because the sun helps to convert Vitamin D in our skin, this process occurs mostly during the spring and summer and for the most part only during sunny days. Couple this with the fact that we have been warned repeatedly about the dangers of repeated or prolonged sun exposure and we are faced with the decision of how much sun is too much sun?
Given these factors, many experts agree that Vitamin D supplementation may be the best way to ensure that we are getting the proper amounts that we need. But how much is too much? Given that Vitamin D is fat soluble, too much of it can cause toxicity and can be dangerous. The only way to adequately assess this would be to have your levels evaluated. This is precisely why at NMR we provide a comprehensive blood metabolic panel that assesses Vitamin D along with many other factors to help maximize your health and well-being.
