Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Summer is coming to an end – that means lower temperatures, big sweaters, and hot drinks to warm us up. This also means that we’ll spend less time out in the sun, which can affect our body’s supply of vitamin D. This important vitamin wears a few different hats when it comes to supporting our health, so it’s safe to say that maintaining optimal levels is an essential part of our wellbeing.

Let’s dive in.

What is Vitamin D3?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps us absorb and process nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus that are needed to support our bones and teeth. Our bodies can make vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun. However, with the lack of sunlight in Canada during the winter months, we can be more prone to a deficiency in this vitamin. That’s why it’s so important to make sure we have a constant supply of vitamin D through our diet and supplementation.

The Many Roles of Vitamin D

Vitamin D not only helps support growth and development by maintaining strong bones but also aids with immune function.

Building Strong Bones

Vitamin D works with vitamin K2, another fat-soluble vitamin, to help absorb and process calcium within the body. Vitamin D takes the calcium in our bodies and directs it from the intestines into the bloodstream. Vitamin K2 comes in and directs that calcium where our bodies need it most, which is usually our bones and teeth.

Vitamin D also promotes calcium absorption within the intestines and helps maintain healthy blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, which is needed for building strong bones.

Building Healthy Immunity

Vitamin D is also involved in helping support our immune function as well as reducing our risk of developing autoimmune diseases. How? Well, studies show that there’s actually a link between long-term vitamin D deficiency and the development of autoimmune conditions like diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. Research suggests that having adequate levels of vitamin D can help to increase the ability of the innate immune system to fight against pathogens, which ultimately strengthens the immune system.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

When our bodies don’t have enough vitamin D, it can show up in a few different ways. Some common symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness, aches, or cramps
• Weak, brittle, or misshapen bones
• Bone and joint pain
• Mood changes

A lack of vitamin D can also disrupt insulin production and lower immune function, making it critical to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D.

How Can You Load Up on This Vitamin?

Although the best way to ensure that you have sufficient levels of vitamin D is to get outside under the sun, this isn’t always an option. Turning to external sources such as diet and supplementation can help you double down on your body’s vitamin D needs. Some foods that are rich in this versatile vitamin include salmon, tuna, and eggs.

If these foods aren’t a staple in your diet, try a supplement like CanPrev’s D3 Drops. Each drop in this formula contains a daily dose of 2500IU of vitamin D3 in a base of medium chain triglycerides for enhanced absorption. Not a fan of drops? Try our D3 Softgels. These softgels offer 2500IU of vitamin D3 in a base of organic coconut oil for easy absorption.