What is Vitamin D?
This is a vitamin that your body makes when the cholesterol in your skin is exposed to the UV rays from the sun. Thus, the moniker “sunshine vitamin”. There are two different kinds of this vitamin D.
D2 & D3 – What’s the Difference?
- D2 is found in plant based foods
- D3 is found in animal products and fatty fish
D3 has been found to be two times more effective in raising the levels of D in the blood stream.
Why is Vitamin D So Important?
Scientists are discovering your best health requires vitamin D. This vitamin supports:
- Bone Health
- Mental Health
- Immune System Response and
- Certain Cancers and Diabetes
Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption. Calcium helps build and maintain bones, while vitamin D helps your body effectively absorb the calcium.
You might be taking a calcium supplement, but if you are deficient in vitamin D, it’s all being wasted! Here’s what can happen.
Deficiency can lead to bone pain, muscle weakness and twitching. The best way to determine whether or not you are deficient is to get a blood test.
How Can We Get Enough?
If it’s the “sunshine vitamin” and we want to limit sun exposure because of damaging UV rays, how can we get enough safely???
Most dermatologists do recommend NOT going outside for extended periods of time without sunscreen. It’s interesting to note that many people of color have some of the highest rates of deficiency.
The skin absorbs vitamin D at varying rates from the sun, so it’s suggested that you get most of your vitamins through food sources or supplementation.
Sources of Vitamin D3
Good sources of Vitamin D3 are through fatty fish such as:
- Salmon
- Herring
- Trout
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Halibut
Certain other foods can be fortified to include the vitamin. Dairy products, soy milk, orange juice and some breakfast cereals are often supplemented. You can also consume a tablespoon of Cod liver Oil, giving you up to 200% of your RDA….or you can take a supplement.
Supplementation is also a good option. Be sure that you choose a high quality, trusted source for your supplements. Some the counter supplements are not metabolized by the body and thus don’t support a healthy lifestyle.
doTERRA’s Bone Nutrient provides you with 200% of your RDA of D3. It’s a little easier to take than Cod Liver Oil too!
To your health!
Live Well, Be Well & Thrive!
