One of the more common questions I am asked is, “should I supplement with vitamin D?”
While it’s a simple question the answer is anything but simple. Before adding a vitamin D supplement to your daily routine I would highly recommend getting a vitamin D test done so you know where your levels are at. This will help determine how much vitamin D you should be taking each day. The vitamin D test I offer clients is an at home, finger prick blood test. The cost of the test is only $75.
Vitamin D is important for many things, including but not limited to:
- Immune system function
- Blood pressure regulation (blood pressure will go up over the winter months because we are getting less vitamin D from the sun)
- Cancer prevention
- Cholesterol management
- Calcium absorption and therefore improved bone health
- Energy levels
- Hormone balance
I recommend a few different vitamin D supplements. It’s important to note that vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin so it’s important to take a vitamin D supplement with healthy fats, such as olive or avocado oil. Below is a list of my recommended vitamin D supplements.
D Complex from Food Research:
Cataplex D from Standard Process:
Bio-DK Mulsion from Biotics Research:
I take about 10,000IU per day over the darker days of winter and early spring. For children I recommend anywhere between 1,000IU and 3,000IU per day.
Vitamin D is one of the most cost effective supplements you can take. I recommend taking it over the winter and then getting out in the sun as much as possible without burning when the warmer days return.
