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Vitamin D

What is vitamin D? 

Vitamin D supports healthy bone density, insulin production, and immune function. While the recommended amount of vitamin D is not generally acquired from the diet, it can be reached through exposure to sunlight and supplementation. 

 

What are the risks of vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to increased susceptibility to infection¹. Deficiency usually affects older people who aren’t exposed to enough sunlight or don’t eat vitamin-enriched foods and increases their risk of fractures²

 

Is there such a thing as too much vitamin D?

Vitamin D toxicity—called hypervitaminosis D—occurs in those with excess vitamin D in the body but is rare and generally only caused by extreme over-supplementation. It can have serious health effects, such as kidney stones and bone issues.

 

When should I test my vitamin D levels?

Testing is recommended for people at risk of vitamin D deficiency, including those with malabsorption conditions, kidney failure, or unusual bone pain or fractures³. If you live in latitudes that have extended periods of limited sunlight, you might want to get your vitamin D levels tested. 

As vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium, it may be advisable to also test levels of this nutrient.

 

What is a normal vitamin D level?

The normal range of vitamin D in the blood, as recognized by the imaware medical advisory board, is 25–80 ng/mL.


How can I improve my vitamin D levels?

Finding out if you have vitamin D deficiency will allow you to adjust your lifestyle and nutrition. You can increase your vitamin D level by taking supplements or by consuming more vitamin D-enriched foods.

References

  1. Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med 2011;59(6):881–886.
  2. Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency. 2021 Jan 3. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID:30335299.
  3. British Columbia. Vitamin D testing. Available from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/bc-guidelines/vitamin-d-testing 
Last updated:
September 23, 2021

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