What's all the fuss about Vitamin D?

Written By Casey Jones

In my opinion, Vitamin D is one of the most underappreciated vitamins that we need for our mental, physical and overall health.

It is often overlooked when it comes to treatment options and most people are usually depleted and deficient in Vitamin D. 

Vitamin D can come from two sources; through sun exposure and consumed through our diet and from quality supplements. However, Vitamin D must go through two different processes to be converted to its metabolically active form calcitriol. Calcitriol is a form of Vitamin D that is naturally formed in the liver.

There are two other forms of Vitamin D; D2, ergocalciferol and D3, colecalciferol and these are the two most commonly consumed and prescribed forms of Vitamin D. However, there is exciting new research that is showing that the metabolically active form of calcitriol is actually the preferred form in cases of malabsorption, chronic deficiency, poor immunity, autoimmune diseases, obesity, osteoporosis and boosting up levels where they are continually stubborn and won’t shift. 

Who is at risk of being deficient in Vitamin D?

  • Those who regularly avoid sun exposure or work indoors

  • Housebound, community-dwelling older and/or disabled people, those in residential care

  • Medical conditions or medications affecting vitamin D metabolism and storage such as anticonvulsants, cortisone

  • Conditions that reduce fat absorption, eg. coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis

  • Infants born to vitamin D deficient mothers who are exclusively breastfed. Preliminary data suggest that lactating women may require as much as 4000–6000 IU/d of vitamin D per day to ensure enough vitamin D is transferred into the breast milk to satisfy the infant’s requirement.

  • Obesity: Vitamin D status is known to be poor in obese individuals

The best dietary sources of Vitamin D:

  • Egg yolks

  • Butter

  • Sprouted seeds

  • Salmon

  • Mushrooms

  • Milk

  • Meats

Getting a blood test to check your Vitamin D status is the best way to check-in and see if you need a quality Vitamin D supplement. 

Every person and case is different, however, as a general rule of thumb I like to see Vitamin D levels on blood tests to be:

- general health and well being: 100 nmol/L +

- chronic health conditions or for immune health support: 150 nmol/L +

If you are curious about your Vitamin D levels and would like to look into a high quality, evidence-based Practitioner strength supplement, book an appointment today! 


Yours in Health and Wellness,

Casey. 


References: Metagenics & Eagle Clinical. 

Casey Jones
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