Our clients always ask us about taking supplements. Although for most people our recommendations vary depending based on each their individual based on their diets, Vitamin D is one that we usually recommend taking. Getting enough vitamin D not only helps us to feel full of ENERGY, but also helps us absorb and metabolize calcium and phosphorous, it regulates our immune system, it keeps our brain working well in old age, and may help us maintain a normal body weight. And many people just don’t get enough of it and it affects their health and well-being.

In the summer months, going outside for short periods of time unprotected from the sun (i.e. no sunscreen) will allow our body to produce enough vitamin D. However, in the winter months in many states (those pretty far north of the equator), most of us are unable to make enough vitamin D from the sun. Therefore, we must consume vitamin D through either foods or as a supplement. Some foods have vitamin D naturally, but many more are fortified. Fish, such as herring, oysters, salmon, trout, and halibut naturally contain vitamin D. Other foods, such as milk, orange juice, and cereals, may be fortified with vitamin D so check the labels to see if yours is. If you don’t get a serving of at least three of these foods a day, take a supplement.

Check the labels to see if the foods you eat contain vitamin D. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for people ages 1-70 is 600 IU per day and for people 70+ is 800 IU per day. If you’re not getting enough through your food, you should take a supplement. And for most food sources, it would take at least several servings a day to meet these recommendations, that’s why we often recommend taking a Vitamin D supplement.

Do you supplement with Vitamin D in the winter?