I first started looking into vitamin D deficiency when I read that it could contribute to scoliosis (my oldest has a severe case of scoliosis for which she unfortunately needs surgery). While the verdict is out on the link between these 2, it is interesting that she was very deficient, despite over a year of eating real foods and living in sunny SoCal. Turns out vitamin D deficiency is quite common.
Vitamin D is not a vitamin, but rather a hormone. It is made in our skin and is responsible in aiding so many functions in our body, the main of which is to absorb calcium and maintain a normal level of calcium in our body. This helps us maintain healthy bones and prevent diseases like osteoporosis, rickets and osteomalacia. It is also linked to preventing cancer, hypertension and several autoimmune diseases. Sign me up!
If you’re struggling with fatigue, depression, and brain fog it might be as simple as vitamin D deficiency. Dr. Michael Holick in his book, The Vitamin D Solution, explains how vitamin D deficiency might have a hand in hard core health challenges such as: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, infertility, M.S, arthritis etc. Fascinating book!
You can order an easy at home finger prick test at www.vitamindcouncil.org for about $55. My daughter and husband were thrilled for me to stab their fingers! (yeah, right). Turns out, we were all deficient in vitamin D. (I didn’t test the babies, just the teenager and the adults).
Optimal vitamin D levels are 50-80 ng/mL.
IMPORTANT: it is possible to overdose on vitamin D so be sure to also have a test on hand to retest after a few months of supplementation since levels over 200ng/mL are toxic.
Vitamin D supplements are abundant. I used the Carlson’s emulsified drops to quickly increase my very low level of Vitamin D. I also take (and give the kids) Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil blend daily which will help maintain adequate levels of vitamin D, we get frequent responsible sun exposure and make an effort to include organ meats in our diet.
So, why is this something we have to take into our own hands? Why hasn’t my doctor mentioned this?
Drug companies can sell fear, but they can’t sell you sunlight, so there’s no promotion of the sun’s health benefits -Dr. Michael Holick, The Vitamin D Solution
Get out in the sun, have some grass fed liver, and get your vitamin D levels tested!
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Thanks for the reply, Sylvie! I should get my D levels checked…
Hi, I’ve been enjoying all your posts, thanks. What dosage do you follow for FCLO/Butter oil blend? I recently got some BLUE ICE Royal Butter Oil/Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend – Chocolate Cream for me and my 18-mon-old daughter (she LOVES it! And I do too. The chocolate cream is actually delicious and better than the citrus flavor FCLO we were doing before). I’ve been following the suggestions on Weston A Price for 1/2 tsp for toddler and 1 tsp for me. Just curious what your thoughts are for the FCLO/butter oil blend. Thanks!
Love all of this! Thanks for your expertise, Sylvie! xo
Awesome! Glad it was helpful, Emily!
I’m taking a supplement of vitamin D once a week for I tested 14.4 ng/ml and normal range is 30 – 100 ng/ml according to the lab.
14 is extremely low. At least 50 would be great!
The pill I take says: Cada comprimido contiene Vitamina D3 (colecalciferol) 70 mcg (2800 U.I). The endocrinologist told me to get another test by October.
The easiest to absorb is emulsified. That’s great that you’re supplementing but I’d be surprised if a dose that low will show any significant change by October. I would take that dose at least daily. I’ve been taking 8,000 IU daily for months and have only increased my levels by 25 points. I’ll be lowering my dose soon.
The insert says to take one pill once a week, which is what the doc said. I’ll let you know when I get tested again in October. I’m surprised at the huge amounts you’re taking.