The best way to get vitamin D
- Sunshine, supplements, and food. Sunshine is the natural and best way, however most people will find it difficult to obtain sufficient quantities year round. Especially those North of the equator during the winter months.
- Supplementation is required for most people to obtain the required amounts of vitamin D.
- We obtain very little vitamin D from the foods we eat so sunshine or supplementation is required. The chances are slim that you would get enough D from the foods you eat.
Sunshine is an essential nutrient that the body needs for energy enhancement. Sunshine and light striking the body has an immediate influence. It not only enhances our digestion but enables the human body to better assimilate the nutrients from our food. Sunlight enables the human body to assimilate calcium resulting in bone and cartilage tissue health. Sunlight is related to the reproduction of red blood cells and avoiding anemia.
Sunlight interacts with our skin producing vitamin D in the cutaneous tissues. Research is now revealing that sunlight taken in through the eyes relieves arthritic pains. It has been found that sunglasses screen out the health-giving wavelengths from the full light spectrum.
Studies find that sunlight is a significant factor in providing what the body needs to heal itself from diseases and ailments. Sunlight taken while resting increases our metabolic rate, circulation, and oxygen carrying abilities of the blood. As a result, the process of toxin elimination and nerve energy is increased.
Excessive sun that burns the skin is the major cause of skin cancers. 30 minutes in the full sun, on as much of the skin area as reasonable, will produce approximately 10,000 IUs of vitamin D3 for a light skin person. Dark skin people will need as much as six times more sunshine to get the same benefits.
How much vitamin D do I need?
Recent studies indicate that the optimal daily intake of vitamin D3 should be 5,000 to 8,000 IUs.
Research shows that upwards of 85% of people are deficient or have less than optimal levels of vitamin D. If we lived outdoors and ate like our native ancestors did, we wouldn’t need to worry about the lack of vitamin D.
Don’t worry about getting too much vitamin D from the sun. There is no risk of solar overproduction because the sun destroys the excess vitamin D when we reach our maximum limit. Incredible creation!
Today most people work indoors and eat a highly refined, cooked diet with large volumes of meat. It is understandable why we aren’t getting the nutrients that we require. Not to mention all the sunscreen for fear of cancers.
Many people believe that hiding from the sun is keeping them from cancer but in reality may be a significant factor in causing the cancers.
Robert Heaney, M.D. says that melanoma is more common among workers who work indoors and more likely to affect parts of the body not exposed to sunshine.
A study by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska reals that the typical adult needs between 4,000 and 8,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per day to prevent cancer, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.
Research shows that an intake of 40,000 IUs and up to 50,000 IUs per day in cancer patients does not cause toxicity.
Why you need Vitamin K with Vitamin D
Vitamin K2 directs calcium out of the blood and into the bones.
Vitamin K2, which helps activate and improve absorption of vitamin D3. Vitamin K2 “activates” vitamin D3, so it is critical to include this nutrient.
Vitamin K2 is also essential to preventing cancer, promoting brain health, building strong bones and preventing plaque buildup in your arteries.
Caution: [Consult your physician before taking this product. Vitamin K may be contra-indicated for individuals on dialysis treatment.
[Vitamin K supplementation may be contraindicated for those taking Coumadin/ warfarin anticoagulant medication. Consult your physician for more information].
Sources of Vitamin K
- Leafy greens
- Seeds
- Kale
- MK 7 – from fermented foods
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency
You may experience some of these:
- Tiredness, weakness, pain in bones
- General aches and pains
- Frequent infections
- It is important to be tested because some people may not have symptoms
Testing for Vitamin D deficiencies
We don’t want to be spending money for vitamin D3 supplementation if we don’t need it so testing is advisable.
Doctors test your 25(OH)D level, or some just call it vitamin D test.
You can get your blood test from your doctor or you can do an in home test.
Optimize your overall health by maintaining your vitamin D between 40 and 70 ng/ml, verified by a blood test.
For in home testing go to the Vitamin D Council. The details including a video on how to take the test is available for your use.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/testing-for-vitamin-d/
Additional Sources:
The Health Seekers’ YearBook, Victoria BidWell
Al Sears, MD, Cns, board-certified clinical nutritionist, Palm Beach, Florida. “Confidential Cures”
Dr. Michael Donaldson, Research Director, Hallelujah Acres, notes from webinar, 2016,