11/02/2025
It's World Vitamin D Day......if you haven't started (early fall is ideal), start to supplement today. It takes about 10+ weeks for vitamin D levels to level off after you start to supplement but don't wait.
If you're in the southern hemisphere, time to consider getting some safe sun exposure if you haven't already.
Folks in the northern hemisphere, it's time to get your supplements lined up if you haven't yet.
In the interest of saving space, I'll list a few factoids on this amazing molecule.
1. Vitamin D can only be made meaningfully when the UVB index is 3 or >. Where you live impacts this. Rule of thumb: your shadow has to be shorter than you are tall.
2. When supplementing, it takes 10-12 weeks for blood levels to achieve steady state (level off). It doesn't happen quickly so ideally, supplements should be started in early autumn.
3. Heaps of cell types (not just bones) use/need vitamin D.
4. Vitamin D positively influences over 2500 genes impacting dozens of our most serious health challenges.
5. Vitamin D is needed for a robust immune system.
6. In your lungs, vitamin D protects against inflammation & reduces the risk for respiratory infection-related complications.
7. Vitamin D is 'fat soluble' meaning it has a 'large volume of distribution'. It is found in blood & fat tissues. Some is stored in fat, but not in large amounts.
8. The larger you are (muscle, height, fat), the more vitamin D you need to achieve an ideal blood level. Lose rule of thumb: 30 IU/pound or 65 IU/kg of body weight.
9. Magnesium is needed to convert vitamin D into its active form. Vitamin D 'turns on' vitamin K2-dependent proteins; ensure you're getting enough magnesium & K2.
10. Vitamin D causes your immune system to produce over 200 'anti-microbial peptides'; kinda like naturally occurring antibiotics.
11. Vitamin D works with omega-3s
Check out www.grassrootshealth.net & www.vitamindwiki.com
𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲, vitamin D needs supporting nutrients: vitamins A & K2, magnesium, boron, & zinc.
