Vitamin D: Are you getting enough?

by Customer Success July 18, 2019

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. It’s sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin makes it when exposed to the sun.

It’s also the most common nutrient deficiency!

Like most vitamins, vitamin D has many functions in the body. It’s mostly known for its ability to help build strong bones. But, vitamin D is also important for a healthy immune system, digestive system, heart and mental health, blood sugar regulation, fertility, and resistance to cancer.

FUN FACT: Vitamin D is the vitamin with more scientific articles published since 2000 than any other vitamin.

Let’s talk about the many roles vitamin D has in promoting good health. We’ll also go over the different forms of vitamin D and whatexactly is a deficiency.Finally, I’ll give you three sources of this critical nutrient and how much we should get.

Make sure you’re getting enough!

Vitamin D in the body

Vitamin D (calciferol) isn’t “active” in our bodies. To do its wonders, it first needs to be convertedinto the active form. This is a two-step process. First the liver converts it into 25(OH)D (calcidiol). Then, that is convertedinto 1,25(OH)D (calcitriol) in the kidneys. It’s this third, calcitriol, formthat’s active in the body.

Vitamin D acts like a hormone! That means it’s produced in one part of the body (e.g. the skin), and travels through to act on another part (e.g. the bones).

Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, when you have more than enough, it gets stored in the liver, and isn’t flushed out in the urine like excesses of many other vitamins are.

FUN FACT: Fish liver oil contains vitamin D, but not fish oil - it’s theliverthat stores vitamin D.

Vitamin D for bones

Vitamin D is most known for its importance for bone health. Bones are alive and are constantly remodeling themselves. This means they, as all tissues, need a constant supply of nutrients.

How does vitamin D help your bones?

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium moreefficiently. And the mineral calcium is one of the major players to “mineralize” and strengthen our bones.

FUN FACT: New research shows it’s not just the kidneys that activate 25(OH)D into 1,25(OH)D - Bone cells can do this too!

Vitamin D works with other hormones to ensure optimal levels of calcium in the blood. When it comes tocalcium, the body always prioritizes the blood over the bones. This is because the blood transports calcium around the body for critical functions like contractions of the heart and muscles. This is why it’s more important to maintain the calcium levels in the blood over levels in the bone.

When there is enough calcium in the blood, any excess is storedin the bones. This is when the bones are mineralizedand strengthened. When there isn’t enough calcium in the blood two things happen to raise this level. First, vitamin D stored in the liver is activatedto help absorb more calcium from food.Second, the body removes calcium stored in the bones to raise levels in the blood.

When we don’t get enough vitamin D (and calcium)regularly, bones can become weak and brittle. In children, severe vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, and in adults it can cause osteomalacia. With less severe vitamin D (and/or calcium) “insufficiency” (as opposed to a more severe “deficiency”), osteoporosis can develop over the long term.

Having enough 25(OH)D in the blood is associatedwith higher bone density. Studies show that supplementing with vitamin D may reduce the risk of falls and bone fractures.

FUN FACT: The strongest evidence for what vitamin D deficiency actually causesis with rickets and osteomalacia. The rest of the conditions have someevidence, but it’s not clear to what extent they’re caused by vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, or what other factors also come into play.

Vitamin D, the immune system, and inflammation

Several studies have shown a link between low levels of vitamin D and immune-related conditions like atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the lab, vitamin D seems to have “anti-inflammatory” and “antioxidant” properties.

FUN FACT: Inflammation is mostly causedby the response of our immune system.

Vitamin D can reduce immuneresponse and inflammatory markers. Some studies in people with immune conditions (e.g. cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, & obesity), show that supplementing with vitamin D reduces some inflammatory markers in the blood, although not all studies agree.

Some researchers think vitamin D, due to its effects on the immune system, may also help with serious food allergies. A few smallstudies show that children with low vitamin D levels have an increased risk for food allergies. More research is needed.

Vitamin D and digestive diseases

Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, it’s absorbed along with fat in the diet. So, people who don’t eat or absorb enough fat are at risk of lower vitamin D levels. This can include people with many digestive issues such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s & colitis, as well aspeople who have had gastric bypass surgery.

Also, a healthy vitamin D status seems to go hand-in-hand with a healthy gut. For example, there is a link between sub-optimal vitamin D, gut microbiomestatus, gut inflammation, and diseases of the gut like IBD and colon cancer.

Vitamin D and cancer

It’s not just colon cancer that’s associated with low levels of vitamin D. Higher levels of vitamin D are associatedwith lowerrisk for prostate, and breast cancers.

In the lab, cancer cells don’t seem to do as well when exposed to higher levels of vitamin D. They don’t divide or invade other tissues as well; and, they seem to die easier.

It’s unclear whether supplementing with vitamin D would reduce the risks of cancer in people.

Vitamin D and heart health

Several studies have linked low levels of vitamin D in the blood with heart disease.

Higher levels of vitamin D in the blood may reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart disease by a small amount.

Supplementing with vitamin D may help lower blood pressureslightly, but the evidence isn’t clear on how supplementing affects risk of heart disease.

Vitamin D and blood sugar

Low vitamin D levels are associatedwith higher levels of insulin resistance in people without diabetes. It may also increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Supplementing with vitamin D may help improve blood sugar management in some people with diabetes.

Vitamin D for mental and brain health

Cells in key areas of the brain have “receptors” for vitamin D. Vitamin D also has a role in circadian rhythms and sleep, affects growth of nerve cells, and impacts the developing brain.

There is growing evidence of the links between low blood levels of 25(OH)D and symptoms of depression.

Some studies also show a link between low vitamin D levels and increased risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Vitamin D and fertility

Vitamin D seems to help improve the motility and survival of sperm cells.

Both too high and too low levels of vitamin D in the blood seem to be associatedwith infertility.

Forms of vitamin D

Many vitamins come in more thanone form. With vitamin D, it comes in two different forms: D2 and D3. There are small differences in their chemical structure.

FUN FACT: Both forms are activatedthe same way: to 25(OH)D and then 1.25(OH)D.

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is the plant-based form, while vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is from animals. Both forms can help rickets.

At higher doses, however, vitamin D2 is less potent than vitamin D3.

Sources of vitamin D

There are three main sources of vitamin D - sun exposure, foods, and supplements.

Sources of vitamin D - Sun exposure

Our skin contains “pre” vitamin D. When exposed to UV rays from the sun, this “previtamin”is convertedinto vitamin D (calciferol).

In fact, vitamin D levels decline in people throughout the winter.

The problem is that too much UV radiation can contribute not only to skin cancer, but also to dryness and other cosmetic changes in the skinover time.

Let’s look at how to get enough vitamin D from foods and supplements.

Sources of vitamin D - Foods

Vitamin D is not naturally foundin very many foods. The best sources include fatty fish and fish liver oils. Some is also foundin beef liver, some cheeses, and egg yolks. Because these are animal sources, they are in the D3 form. Some is even already convertedinto 25(OH)D which is thoughtto be 5 times more potent than the regular D3 form.

Naturallyoccurring plant sources of vitamin D2 are some mushrooms that have been exposedto the sun. That’s about it.

Because it’s naturally found in so few foods, vitamin D is also addedto certain foods. This is called“fortification.” In fact, fortified foods are the main source of dietary vitamin D in the US.

Fortification of food with vitamin D can improve vitamin D status.

Some of these vitaminD fortified foods include milk, some orange juices, breakfast cereals, and yogurt. Check your labels to find out if yours has been fortifiedwith vitamin D (it will be listedas an ingredient). You can also check which form of vitamin D was added: D2 or D3.

Infant formulas in Canada and the US are requiredto have at least 40 IU of vitamin D for each 100 kcal.

FUN FACT: Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, absorption from foods, drinks, and supplements is improvedwhen taken at the same time as a fat-containing meal.

Sources of vitamin D - Supplements

Vitamin D supplements come in both forms: D2 and D3. The plant-based D2 form is manufacturedby exposing yeast to UV radiation. The animal-based D3 form is madefrom lanolin.

If you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency, your health care provider can test your blood for levels of 25(OH)D and recommend a course of action specific for you.

However, if you don’t have a professional recommendation for how much vitamin D to take, the safest way to supplement is to follow the instructions on the label. And never take more than 4,000IU/day (100 mcg/day), unless told to byyour licensed health care provider.

That’s because too much vitamin D can become toxic. One effect of too much vitamin D is that blood levels of calcium can get too high. This can lead to “calcification” which can damage blood vessels, the heart, and kidneys. Getting too much vitamin D is mostly a risk when taking supplements; not so much from sun exposure or food intake.

And don’t forget to check with your doctor and/or pharmacist if you’re taking medications because vitamin D supplements can interact with some of them.

In infants, since formulas must have vitamin D added to them, breastfedinfants are often recommendedvitamin D drops. Speak with your licensed healthcare professional for recommendations.

FUN FACT: Supplementing with vitamin D has notbeen consistently shownto correct many of the conditions listed above (except for rickets and osteomalacia). Some studies show improvements,while others don’t. While these conditions are associatedwith low blood levels of vitamin D, they are not always improvedwith supplements.

Vitamin D deficiency

Studies show that between 30-80% of people simply don’t get enough vitamin D. This deficiency is so common that some researchers have called it a “public health concern” and a “global problem.”

Vitamin D deficiency is when someone has less than 30 nmol/L of 25(OH)D in the blood.Ideally you want at least 50 nmol/L (20 ng/L).

<30 nmol/L = deficient
30-50 nmol/L = insufficient
50-125 nmol/L = adequate
125+ nmol/L = high

Vitamin D deficiencies can happen when, over time, people are not getting enough safe sun exposure, or are not eating enough foods containing vitamin D. It can also happen if the vitamin D is not being absorbed very well, or if the kidneys have trouble converting the “previtamin” D into the active form 1,25(OH)D.

People whoare more likely to be deficient in vitamin D include:

Pregnant and lactating women,and breastfedinfants;
Older adults;
Peoplewith limited sun exposure (including athletes who train indoors);
Peoplewith darker skin;
Peoplewith digestion issues that prevent proper absorption (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, etc.);
Peoplewith obesity; and,
People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.

How much vitamin D do we need?

For adequate blood levels of 25(OH)D, how much vitamin D do we need to get every day?

To get enough vitamin D from the sun, a general rule is to get about 5–30 minutes of sun between 10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen.

When it comes tovitamin D from foods and supplements, in Canada and the US, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has set target daily amounts. This amount, called the “Recommended Dietary Allowance” (RDA), ensures that at least 97% of people get enough vitamin D every day. Those recommendations are:

10 mcg (400 IU) per day for infants under the age of one.
15 mcg (600 IU) per day for everyone aged 1-70 years old, including pregnant and lactating women.
20 mcg (800 IU) per day for everyone over the age of 70.

Vitamin D in foods and supplements may be measuredin both mcg (micrograms) and/or IU (international units). The conversion factor is 40 IU = 1 mcg.

Summary

Vitamin D has many health-promoting roles in the body. Most of the evidence is for bone health, but it’s also associated with a healthy immune system, digestive system, heart and mental health, blood sugar regulation, fertility, and resistance to cancer.

Vitamin D is also the most common deficiency.

We can get vitamin D from sun exposure, some foods, and supplements.

The best way to know how much vitamin D you need is to have your blood tested if you’re at risk. If you don’t have a test or professional recommendation, following the label directions on your vitamin D supplements can be a safe way to get enough.

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