Is Your “D” Dipping? Why You Should Pay Attention To Your Vitamin D Levels

You likely know that Vitamin D is an important nutrient for keeping your bones strong (you need Vitamin D to absorb calcium) and that for many, the biggest source of Vitamin D is from UV rays from the sun absorbed through your skin, or through such fortified foods as milk or cereals. During the winter, with less exposure to the sun and more of your skin covered up, your Vitamin D levels may dip. Many people turn to supplements during the winter months to make up for this lack of sun exposure. While that may be valuable, a recent post from Dr. Peter Attia highlights a new research study that suggests exercise may be another valuable way to help lift your Vitamin D levels during the cold winter months. 

What you may not realize is that Vitamin D is important for your immune system and heart health, as well as your bones. A new study presented at the recent scientific meetings of the American Heart Association underscores just how valuable Vitamin D may be for those with heart disease who may be at risk for a second heart attack. According to this new research, adults with heart disease who previously had a heart attack and received individually tailored doses of Vitamin D were able to reduce their risk for another heart attack by more than 50%. While more research is needed to determine if Vitamin D could play a role in preventing heart disease, heart experts recommend that those with heart disease who have previously had a heart attack discuss their Vitamin D levels with their cardiologists to see if their personal levels could use a boost or need adjustment. For more on this important finding, click here.

Perhaps even more interesting is another recent study of Vitamin D, this time focused on its “anti-aging” aspects. A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that daily Vitamin D supplements help slow the shortening of telomeres, which are the caps at the end of your DNA strands. Shortened telomeres are linked to cellular aging and disease, so anything that helps protect and strengthen telomeres should lower your risk of disease and conditions related to aging. While the mechanisms involved are unclear, it is hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin D supplementation may play a role in protecting your DNA. This study involved over 1000 adults with an average age of 65 who were followed for 4 years and given a daily dose of 2000 IU of Vitamin D supplements. While this suggests an exciting possible reason to supplement with Vitamin D, experts advise that you don’t suddenly put yourself on such a high daily dose. There are limitations of this study, and such a large dose of Vitamin D is not without its potential harms. In fact, taking too much Vitamin D can lead to dangerously high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), which can tax your kidneys, cause digestive issues, and even bone pain. There is also concern that taking Vitamin D supplements while taking such other nutrients as magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, or even calcium can change how these substances are absorbed and metabolized.

Bottom line? While a significant number of us are Vitamin D deficient, and research suggests exciting new value for Vitamin D supplementation, each of us needs to determine for ourselves, in consultation with our physicians, what level of Vitamin D is correct for us. There’s an easy blood test to measure your Vitamin D levels. So roll up your sleeve and find out more here.