Following up on our last blog post, we ask this question for you: How much vitamin D does your body require each day?
Where I live we are entering into a season where the weather prohibits me from eating outside in the midday sun. So in order to get my daily dose of vitamin D I have to rely on supplementation. The importance of vitamin D supplementation is becoming more and more evident through recent research which indicates that most of the U.S. population may be vitamin D deficient.
The following questions are important ones to consider before you begin vitamin D supplementation:
1. How much vitamin D does your body require each day?
2. What is the recommended daily dose of supplements?
3. Can I get too much vitamin D?
4. What if I feel it’s not safe to expose my skin to the sun?
5. Can I get vitamin D from the foods that I eat?
These are all great questions, unfortunately the answers are too long and complex for me to answer in this blog. Thankfully the answers can be found by visiting the vitamin D council’s website by clicking here.
Because vitamin D is a vitamin that you can get too much of it’s also very important that you know what your vitamin D level is before taking supplements. If you’ve never had your vitamin D level checked or if it’s been more than a year, I recommend that you see your local health care provider and request to have your level checked. It can be done with a simple blood test. Once you’ve obtained the results use the guidelines below to determine if you are deficient, insufficient, or have sufficient amounts.
Vitamin D Council Endocrine Society Food & Nutrition Board
Deficient 0-30 ng/ml 0-20 ng/ml 0-11 ng/ml
Insufficient 31-39 ng/ml 21-29 ng/ml 12-20 ng/ml
Sufficient 40-80 ng/ml 30-100 ng/ml >20 ng/ml
Toxic >150 ng/ml
I can’t stress enough how important it is that you have sufficient amounts of vitamin D! If you find you have deficient or insufficient amounts please consult with your health care provider for information on how to restore your vitamin D level. If you have any questions or you would like recommendations for supplementation send your request to [email protected], or visit our website and click on the “Ask Dr. Phil” Radio button and leave your question. Stay healthy and stay warm this winter!
Healthy Blessings,
Dr. Phil
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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