The list of vitamin D benefits is quite long because vitamin D has been shown to affect many bodily functions. Vitamin D contributes to bone health, cardiovascular health, immune system health, and even certain cancers. There is even a clear link between low vitamin D and autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. However, many doctors are still not routinely monitoring blood vitamin D levels as it is often overlooked and not treated as a medical concern.
One recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found a strong relationship between very low and very high vitamin D levels with cardiovascular disease. The study indicated that women should have a minimum vitamin D level of 12 ng/ml to prevent heart disease while men need a higher vitamin D (28 ng/ml). The optimal vitamin D level for both sexes was found to be between 30 ng/ml and 45 ng/ml.
Possibly more than 50% of people are deficient in vitamin D. Make sure you are taking adequate amounts of vitamin D supplementation and that you are not relying on the sun as your sole source of vitamin D. Liquid D3, for example, is an ideal form of vitamin D supplementation that will help maintain consistent levels in your body. Many physicians suggest taking 2000 IU of vitamin D daily however this may not be enough. If your doctor is not already doing so, request that your 25-OH vitamin D levels be tested and inquire about the proper vitamin D3 intake to correct any deficiency.
