I decided to write this article after getting my annual health check up last month. I was very surprised to learn about my Vitamin D deficiency. After all, I am in the sun ALOT and I have the freckles to prove it! My doctor recommended I take a good Vitamin D supplement. Before I left the parking lot I did what most of us do, grabbed my phone, clicked on my Amazon app and ordered a bottle.

After I got home, I started doing research on Vitamin D. I needed to know WHAT and WHY. WHAT is Vitamin D and WHY do I need it?

In this article you will:

  • Understand what Vitamin D is and why we need it
  • Get the warning signs of a deficiency
  • Learn the many benefits we get from this vitamin
  • Find the best supplement that fits your lifestyle

What is Vitamin D and Why do we need it?

Vitamin D is a very important vitamin necessary for our overall health. It is different then most vitamins. It is a fat-soluble which means it gets dissolved into fats and oils which allows it to be stored in your body for a long time.

Because of the way it is converted once it is inside of your body, it is able to interact with the Vitamin D receptor which are found in most of the cells in your body. This means it is a key vitamin in your bones, gut and many other areas throughout your body.

You can see now why when you have a low level of this vitamin, it can affect your health in a number of ways. In fact, a recent study showed  over 90% of people who had experienced heart attacks were low in vitamin D.  

More evidence is showing how much influence Vitamin D has on our health. Another recent study even suggests it could protect us from major health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke.

The bad thing about being deficient of this vitamin is that the seriousness of it can be silent and could take years to surface. This means you have to be aware of your body and warning signs.

How to tell if you are deficient

There are many reasons we can have a low level of Vitamin D. Half of us are deficient, and we do not even realize it. It is also one of the most common deficiency among adults.

There are a few warning signs we should watch for:

Who is at risk

You might be at risk for the following reasons:

  • People who stay out of the sun or live in an area with no direct sunlight. Vitamin D is also known as “sunshine vitamin” because it can be produced from cholesterol in your skin when it’s exposed to ultraviolet B rays from the sun.
  • Those who partake in a vegan diet or people who have dairy allergies are at risk since meat and dairy contain Vitamin D.
  • People with dark complexions can’t absorb this vitamin like fair complexion because melanin reduces the skin’s ability to make this vitamin.
  • Having certain medical issues like Crones disease or celiac that doesn’t allow your body to absorb certain vitamins.
  • Obesity can cause low levels of Vitamin D in the bloodstream because it isn’t able to be properly absorbed. People who are obese have a harder time converting it into it’s active form.
  • Fear of skin cancer can cause people to stay out of the sun or not getting enough sun exposure. Try getting out in the morning or in the evening if this is a concern for you.
  • Elderly people are at risk for most of the reasons combined above.

How do you get Vitamin D?

There are a few ways you can naturally get the Vitamin D you need.

The sun is one way. When we are exposed to the sun, our body naturally responses by producing Vitamin D. We should try to get 10 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week. Vitamin D breaks down pretty quick so you need to maintain this weekly to ensure enough exposure to sunlight to produce the Vitamin D you need.

Food is another great way to get your Vitamin D. Vitamins are nutrients that are not naturally made by us. In order to get them, we must eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals. Foods that are high in Vitamin D includes the following:

  • Fresh fish
  • Cod liver oil
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Mushrooms
  • Orange Juice
  • Beef liver
  • Yogurt

Taking a good Vitamin D supplement is another option for people who do not spend enough time in the sun or do not eat fish and dairy.

We recommend Life Extentions Vitamin D because of these reasons:

Life Extentions Vitamin D
Vitamin D

If you are ready to purchase your supplement, click on the link below.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON AMAZON

The gist of this article is understanding that we all need vitamin D to ensure optimal health and wellness. Get out in the sun, eat some fish and find a good supplement. Your body will thank you later.

I always like to mention that Optimized Life focuses on providing information and suggesting products that we feel will help you Optimize your life and help you live your best and healthiest life possible.

DISCLAIMER: This is a dietary supplement. The statements made about this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

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7 Comments

    • Optimized Reply

      Thank you so much. I take that as a huge compliment. I was so thankful my doctor informed me about this topic. I knew I had to tell everyone I know.

  1. I’ve never had a vitamin D deficiency but this is such a helpful read. I’ll do well to ensure I don’t deficient. Thanks for this post.

  2. I’ve never had a vitamin D deficiency but this is such a helpful read. I’ll do well to ensure I don’t get deficient. Thanks for this post.

  3. Getting my Vit D in check was a total game changer for my mental and physical health. I was falling asleep standing up and physically sick constantly. And so anxious I could barely function. It really is so important!

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