The Importance of Vitamin D

Ahh, the sunshine vitamin! We all love the feel of the sun on our faces in those first spring days when we can enjoy being outside again after these long Canadian winters. But did you know it’s very important, to get vitamin D all year long? Especially in the winter months, when we aren’t outside as often, and the sun is not as strong, as in the summer months.

Vitamin D is not only a vitamin, but also a hormone as we can produce it by getting the sunlight on our skin. When we take vitamin D as a supplement during the winter months and maybe even all year long, we take advantage of the wonderful benefits of this vitamin. Supplementing with the right form is important. Choose vitamin D3 over D2 (synthetic).

Vitamin D increases our immune response. This is especially important when we get run down over the Christmas holidays and exposed to lots of viruses and microbes. The higher the blood level of vitamin D, the higher the cathelicidin concentration and the more powerful the antiviral effects. Cathelicidin is a natural antimicrobial that attacks pathogens including viruses. It’s always best to get your vitamin D levels checked with your doctor so you know how much is ideal before starting to supplement.

Vitamin D also increases calcium absorption. This is important for those with osteoporosis and osteomalacia as vitamin D is needed to keep calcium and magnesium in solution so they can be absorbed better into the bone. When also taken as a supplement with vitamin K2, it increases our bone mass even more.

Along with healing a leaky gut, reducing high cholesterol and high PSA scores, vitamin D is beneficial for everyone. Get outside as often as possible and enjoy that beautiful sunshine on your face!