Do you need to keep taking a Vitamin D supplement during the summer?
“Should I keep taking my Vitamin D supplement in the summer?”
I get this question often this time of year and have been receiving a lot of emails about it, so I wanted to share some important information with you about Vitamin D.
To answer the question, it depends on your condition.
Many of my clients suffer from chronic conditions that are both affected by and can cause a Vitamin D deficiency. I don’t recommend stopping your routine at any time of year if you are one of these patients. Chronic diseases like Crohn’s cause inflammation and absorption issues year round, and it has been scientifically proven that the bioactive form of vitamin D3 (1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D) improves the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. This form is at least twice as effective in raising vitamin D levels in the body, produces greater storage for vitamin D, and converts to active form faster.
If you’re not one of these patients and are taking Vitamin D for your own comfort and get enough sunshine, it’s alright to continue. If you are taking it to help with inflammation, bone health, and nutrient absorption, you definitely want to keep your routine. However, anything over 1000 IU should be recommended by a practitioner. It is important to talk to your doctor if you think you have a vitamin deficiency so they can check your levels.
So for the most part, if you’re taking a Vitamin D supplement then keep taking it no matter the season. Cases for which you should STOP taking Vitamin D for would be if your levels are high (90 ng/ml) or if your liver markers get elevated without a known reason. Yet another important reason get your levels tested by a knowledgable practitioner.
If you are interested in learning more, including my recommendations for children, you can watch my Facebook Live video here.
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."
