Get your D levels up–seriously, get ’em up!

Seriously–it’s time to get your D levels up.

Why now? Because it’s winter.

If you live in Miami and you play a half-hour of tennis every day, don’t worry about it. Your D status is fine. You’re deeply envied and hated by us Northerners, but that’s a small price to pay.

In a new study from the University of California, Davis, researchers took blood from more than 70 subjects throughout the year. Analysis showed that even light-skinned subjects with high sun exposure need 1,300 IU per day during winter months in order to maintain sufficient D.

Dark-skinned subjects with low winter sun exposure need much more–from 2,100 to 3,100 IU per day.

Keep in mind that Davis is in Northern California, so winter sun exposure for these subjects is not going to produce the same amount of D as it would in, say, San Diego.

Of course, these recommended levels are quite a bit higher than the absurdly low 200 to 600 IU per day, which is the official daily recommendation.

Over the years we’ve seen more and more studies like this begin to catch up with Dr. Jonathan V. Wright’s recommendation: Between 1,600 and 2,000 IU of D3 daily, and as much as 4,000 IU for those over the age of 40. (D3 is the same form of the vitamin that’s produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight.)

In addition to moderate daily exposure to direct sunlight, Dr. Wright also recommends a consistent intake of dietary sources that contain vitamin D3, including salmon, sardines, and cod liver oil.

Now get out there and D up!

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Source:
“Vitamin D Levels Not Enough for Winter: Study” Stephen Daniells, NutraIngredients-USA, 1/14/10, nutraingredients- usa.com