Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

If you aren’t getting enough vitamin D you may have a vitamin D deficiency which can lead to a loss of bone density, osteoporosis and fractures. Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. 

I thought I had plantar fasciitis but turned out to be a stress fracture in my heel and spent 10 weeks in a walking boot with crutches. My doctor put me on 10,000 IU Vitamin D3 to heal the fracture.

My doctor told me that living in Ohio most of us have a vitamin D deficiency because we don’t have a lot of sunshine. Now I am out of the walking boot and in a shoe he put me on 4000 IU Vitamin D3 for the winter and in the summer I will take 2000 IU.

8 signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

1. Often getting sick or infections
2. Fatigue and tiredness
3. Bone and back pain
4. Depression
5. Impaired wound healing
6. Bone loss
7. Hair loss
8. Muscle pain

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D manages calcium in your blood, bones and gut and helps cells all over your body to communicate properly. Vitamin D mainly comes from your skin when it’s exposed to the sunlight.

7 ways to increase vitamin D levels:

1. Spend time in sunlight
2. Consume fatty fish and seafood
3. Eat more mushrooms
4. Include egg yolks in your diet
5. Eat fortified foods
6. Take a supplement
7. Try a UV lamp

What is the best treatment for Vitamin D deficiency?

Treatment may include a supplement Vitamin D2 at 50,000 IU per week for 8 weeks. After Vitamin D levels normalize, experts recommend maintenance dosage of D3 at 800 – 1,000 IU per day from diet and supplements.

How do you find out if you have a vitamin D deficiency?

The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test. A level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered adequate for healthy people. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.

What is the best Vitamin D supplement?

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

• Best Overall: Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3
• Best with Calcium: Caltrate 600+D3 Calcium and Vitamin D Supplement Tablet
• Best High Concentration: NatureWise Vitamin D3, 5,000 IU
• Best Vegetarian: Garden of Life Mykind Vegan Organic D3
• Best Gummies: Vitafusion Vitamin D3 Gummy Vitamins

Can I overdose on Vitamin D?

The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in your blood, which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. Taking 60,000 IU a day of vitamin D for several months has shown to cause toxicity.

How much vitamin D should you take a day?

A daily vitamin D intake of 1000 – 4000 IU should be enough to ensure optimal blood levels in most people. The safe upper limit is 4000 IU according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Do not take more than that without consulting your health professional.

The last thing you need to know about vitamin D deficiency

If you live in the midwest or northern states that don’t have a lot of sunshine take your vitamin D supplement every day. When the sun is shining get outside and soak it up, be sure to put on your sunscreen.

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