VITAMIN D
It has been praised as an essential supplement for bone and immune health and with the pandemic it's being recommended by everyone. More than likely you have either taken this vitamin or are currently taking it and at a very high dose.
Yes, Vitamin D is important! It helps to carry out many functions in the body. However, if you take away anything from this post let it be this: synthetic vitamins are not equal to whole food forms of vitamins. We often tell clients this "in nature, we cannot find a food (plant or animal) that contains one single vitamin or mineral". This is because humans are not meant to consume a single vitamin or mineral and we certainly are not meant to consume them in synthetic form.
Vitamin D is actually a hormone and behaves as such in the body. Would we use a hormone replacement therapy without a second thought? Probably not. We would have some questions and we should with vitamin D as well.
You can see the negative affects that synthetic vitamin D has on your body. So how did vitamin D become so popular? Unfortunately, most of the studies done showing synthetic vitamin D as being beneficial have been flawed and the new research showing the risks are disregarded by, or unknown to, many providers.
"But hold up, my doctor tested me and it shows that I am low, so I need to supplement!" The follow-up question to this is which test did they do? Did they test inactive D 25, AKA 25 (OH) D or did they test active 1,25 (OH)2D. Well, chances are they are only looking at your inactive level of vitamin D. Then they recommend you supplement and you are only adding fuel to the fire because chances are you have plenty.
Many people end up taking higher and higher doses because their levels never change or plateau. This is because they are missing the important cofactors to move vitamin D from inactive to active. Think of it this way...if you filled your car up with gas and only got a couple miles before the empty light went on, would you just keep filling your tank with more gas? Or would you want to know why the gas wasn't fueling the car?
If you are truly low in active and inactive vitamin D then you need to ask why are you low? You need to look at things like diet, sun exposure, magnesium, and cholesterol.
Okay so hopefully by now you are starting to rethink your vitamin D supplement. Remember, we are not doctors and this is not medical advice, always consult your provider and do your own research. If after doing that you decide to switch over to a safer option here are the best ways to get vitamin D naturally.
Cod liver oil
Beef Liver
Eggs
Fatty fish like mackerel and sardines
Lots of sunshine (without sunscreen)
This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
