Time to Talk About Vitamin D

Time To Talk About Vitamin D

By Dr. Lisa Polinsky

When shadows become longer and we have passed daylight savings, it’s time to start taking your Vitamin D.  Days are darker, seasonal colds are ramping up, and more time is spent indoors.  Given the angle of the light in the winter months, the latitude of Canada, and our lack of skin exposure to sun during this season most of us have inadequate Vitamin D even on a sunny winter’s day.  

Ideal daily dosing is unique to each person (and their medical background) but dosing of 1000 iu – 3000 iu per day is common.  To ensure that you are getting the proper dose it is ideal to test 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D - a simple lab test available at LifeLabs.  Your Naturopathic Doctor can order this test for you, the cost is approximately $75.00.

Why test? Often people are told “just take Vitamin D, we know everyone is low!” This may be true but inadequate dosing means you could be missing out on the benefits of Vitamin D.  

Grassrootshealth.org has done a wonderful job of illustrating what parts of the body are impacted by Vitamin D, which you can find here (Hint – it impacts every part of the body).

Vitamin D Society is an excellent resource based in Canada and shares medical benefits, food sources and historic blood levels measured in various populations.

US-based lab values are measured differently than Canadian labs. The suggested range for optimal health in US data is 40-60 ng/ml - equivalent to Canadian lab values of 100 – 150 nmol/L.

I was recently surprised to see that LifeLabs had reduced the normal 25-OH Vitamin D3 range from the previous range of:  75 – 250 nmol/L down to the now posted range of 50 – 125 nmol/L. I asked the lab representative for the medical reasoning regarding this and was told that no specific medical reasoning was given.  Now patients testing may erroneously think they are taking too much vitamin D and reduce or stop their dosing, which is not ideal.  If you are confused about what dosing may be optimal for you to help prevent dementia, diabetes, Covid* or other respiratory infections; and to support mental health, bone health, and cardiovascular health then let’s discuss your specific health goals and ensure you are taking adequate levels.

Finally, when people are taking adequate levels of Vitamin D I have observed that they usually feel better mentally, energetically and have even remarked “I just feel sunnier inside”. 

*up to date research on early prevention and treatment with Vitamin D found here.