As the days get shorter and even if we’re outside—less of our skin is exposed to the sunshine, it’s a great time to give some attention to our Vitamin D levels!
Vitamin D3 is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin produces it when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight. During Fall and Winter, shorter days and reduced sun exposure can mean fewer opportunities for our bodies to make adequate amounts. This is especially important for people who spend most of their day indoors. Vitamin D does WAY more than support healthy bones! It plays an critical role in calcium absorption, muscle function, immune system regulation, and the body’s inflammatory responses. Low levels have been associated with a number of health concerns, making it so important to pay attention to it!
What about Vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
Research has found an interesting relationship between Vitamin D levels and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have observed that people with RA frequently have lower Vitamin D levels, and lower levels have been associated with greater disease activity. Vitamin D also plays a role in regulating immune system responses.
While researchers are still investigating whether deficiency contributes to RA development or worsening symptoms, the evidence is not yet conclusive. Some clinical studies have shown improvements in inflammatory markers and disease activity following supplementation.
So, what can you do?
1) On nice days, get outside & let the sun shine on your skin. There’s a FREE App called “D-Minder” that lets you know what hours your body can get Vitamin D from the sunshine.
2) Don’t guess when it comes to your Vitamin D status! The next time you go for bloodwork, make sure you ask specifically for your Vitamin D levels to be tested. If you don’t have a PCP who orders bloodwork for you, we recommend Function Health (click here to find out more about doing bloodwork 2x/year through Function Health, FYI they usually run a great sale around Thanksgiving!) They test way more thoroughly than traditional medicine and use Functional ranges for optimal health. Dr. Erica & I both use them for our own bloodwork.
3) Fatty fish & egg yolks are good dietary sources, and supplementation may be helpful when dietary intake and sunlight aren’t sufficient (Innate Choice is my favorite brand, and we have it at Clearview).
Functional health levels are 50-70, even though most traditional medical “experts” will tell you that a Vitamin D level of 20 is sufficient. Respectfully, it’s not. Humans who are functioning optimally need MUCH higher levels of Vitamin D than 20!
At Clearview, we want you to FUNCTION OPTIMALLY!! We believe in being proactive about your health, NOT waiting until something goes wrong. As we head into the shorter days of fall and winter, let’s make sure we’re giving our bodies the nutritional support we need!