Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient for the body. It’s used in most body processes, such as cellular functioning, bone remodeling, calcium absorption, and immune support. Research indicates it can improve longevity, boost immunity, and may even brighten your mood.
Vitamin D Deficiency Risks
While the majority of studies focus on Vitamin D3 benefits, it’s important to note that much of the population is still deficient in Vitamin D3.
The risks for being deficient in vitamin D include:
1). Fear of cancer and compulsive use of sunscreens
2). Avoiding the great outdoors
3). An abysmally low RDA for Vitamin D – 400IU when we probably need 10,000IU
4). Living at higher latitudes – less sun strength and exposure
5). Darker skin, because it requires longer sun exposure.
6) Cold skin, which is less receptive to the sun than warm skin.
7). Being overweight – more than 30% fat makes it harder to absorb Vitamin D.
8). Unhealthy Gut, Liver, Kidneys –reduce the amount of Vitamin D that is absorbed.
9). Medications, which can zap vitamin D production
The Body Needs All Forms
Vitamin D from the Sun as well as supplemental doses of vitamin D3 through a highly effective vitamin D3 supplement are essential to achieving the recommended levels of vitamin D needed in the body for daily optimal health. Without enough vitamin D available the immune response of the body can be hindered.
Don’t Forget the Co-Factors
“While many people are beginning to realize the amazing health benefits that vitamin D has to offer in the prevention of disease, they may not be getting the full benefits from vitamin D without also supplementing their diets with magnesium, which is a vital nutrient that works synergistically with vitamin D,” says Dr. Dean.
Magnesium is absolutely necessary for the activation of vitamin D. Magnesium deficiency is the reason why the studies on Vitamin D are inconclusive with researchers put down vitamin D supplementation and others support it. And, magnesium deficiency is why extremely high dose Vitamin D supplementation (50,000IU – usually of synthetic D2) can be detrimental because it steals all the body’s magnesium giving you magnesium deficiency symptoms.
Several other factors including the intake of certain nutrients that influence how an individual’s vitamin D level responds to their vitamin D supplementation.