There are so many benefits of vitamin D. And the list of vitamin D benefits is still growing after years and years of research. And although this sunshine vitamin is so important, I always believe in supplementing only when there’s a need for it.
Some like to try trendy supplements and vitamin D is as trendy as you could get right now. But I want you to fully understand the vitamin D benefits and be one empowered patient.
You need to know the most important thing: Check if you really need it first. That would be seeing a specialist and testing your vitamin D levels. Have your health practitioner monitor those levels for efficacy at 3 months, 6 months and one year.
Also, choose your Vitamin D supplements wisely. Choosing an appropriate vitamin D supplement will greatly improve your health and your vitamin d levels. Opt for vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), not vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol). And yes, I’ve seen some really great health improvement with vitamin d supplementation.
Vitamin D benefits include:
-We need a sufficient amount of vitamin D level for appropriate Calcium and Phosphorous absorption. And Calcium is very important for your bones.
-Other great vitamin D benefits include the function of vitamin D as an immune system helper.
-Vitamin D benefits include helping people maintain healthy body weight.
-Optimal vitamin D levels are associated with a decrease in inflammation.
-Optimal vitamin D levels are associated with decreased flare-ups of many chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease and others.
-Vitamin D benefits include the ability to fight the common cold and flu.
-Optimal vitamin D levels are associated with decreased duration of common colds.
-Optimal vitamin D levels show improvements in cognition in the elderly.
-Optimal vitamin D level benefits include reduced risk of developing multiple sclerosis, preterm labor or birth defects.
-Some experts notice great benefits of vitamin D in decreasing chronic pain.
-Optimal vitamin D levels have been shown to reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women.
-Vitamin D can help reduce the severity of asthma symptoms, and possibly reduce hospitalizations due to asthma.
-Other great benefits of vitamin D include the ability of this vitamin to protect the body against radiation.
It’s important to make sure you have adequate vitamin K going into the system to ensure good absorption of vitamin D. Please Note. Vitamin K may not be suitable for those taking anticoagulant medication therapy (such as warfarin and others). It also may not be suitable for certain health conditions and a medical doctor should be consulted before starting on any vitamin K supplement.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with other deficiencies like Magnesium deficiency or vitamin A to vitamin D ratio imbalance. You may want to consider having those vitamin levels checked also. Some of the really great natural supplement brands are now making a combination of vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium and vitamin A into one great supplement.
In general, it’s a good idea to check all anti-oxidant levels, anti-oxidant markers, nutrient markers as well as metabolic processes in your system before you add any additional vitamins. In my practice, I often implement micronutrient testing, organic acid testing all to assess the need for supplementation.
Now that’s a flu season, it’s especially important to ensure adequate vitamin D, consider getting Vitamin D supreme by DFH or Vitamin D complete by Allergy Research Group.
Dr. Inna lukyanovsky, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Gut Health Expert and Best Selling Author of the book "Crohn's and Colitis Fix."
