Vitamin D: Chances are, you have probably heard of it and maybe you are even taking it for better health. But do you really know how Vitamin D helps your immune system?

And did you know that most adults are deficient?

It’s true. 

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency: Muscle cramps, muscle spasms, nerve pain, numbness or tingle, general fatigue or problems focusing, and poor sleep quality.

So, how do you get enough of this important nutrient to support a healthy immune system? Read on!

What exactly is Vitamin D? It is a nutrient and a hormone produced by the human body. It helps build your bones and it can also help reduce inflammation and control infection. While scientists don’t have exact answers on all the benefits of it, they do know that Vitamin D is very important to overall health and wellness — aka a healthy immune system.

Vitamin D can be found in many foods, and it is also found in sunlight. That’s why many people are deficient: It’s hard to get enough of it through foods and many of us simply can’t get enough sun in the colder months. 

Other causes of deficiency may be use of anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, and also steroid medication such as injections or chronic use for asthma.  These anti-inflammatory medications reduce our levels of vitamin D.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance of Vitamin D for adults is 600 IU but if you are over 70, you’ll need 800 IU.  Many current specialists in the fields of nutrition and functional medicine recommend 1000-2000 IU per day!   No one should take more than 4,000 IU daily!

It’s always a good idea to chat with your doctor before starting any supplement or vitamin, however. If you do start to supplement, understand that Vitamin D works in conjunction with Magnesium, Calcium and other important nutrients.  If your magnesium levels are low, no amount of Vitamin D will help as it cannot be processed in the body. 

If you are looking to eat your Vitamin D, the best sources come from water: Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are tops, but eggs and cheese have a lot too. Milk, cereal and orange juice can sometimes be supplemented with it as well.

If you are wondering if you are deficient, a simple blood test can show you your numbers. The optimal level for D in the blood is between 60-80.

So, if you are wondering, call your doctor and get checked!

Beacon Physical Therapy

At Beacon Physical Therapy, we want to help you live a happy, healthy, pain-free life. If you are having an issue, make an appointment today. We’d love to meet you and get you back to doing what you love.