Dear Reader,
Today is Earth Day.
So hopefully you get outside to catch some healthy rays and trigger your skin’s natural production of vitamin D—the all-important nutrient that protects you against aging and disease.
Of course, at this time of year, even when we tend to spend more time in the sun, 40 percent of Americans still have low vitamin D levels.
But many don’t know they’re deficient. Because the No. 1 sign is something so subtle, most people just shrug it off…
Vitamin D deficiency starts out subtle
Every spring, most creatures in the natural world begin to feel renewed and energized. The days are longer. The sun is stronger. The birds are busy building nests. The trees and plants are turning green again.
But for many people, the springtime actually marks a low point in their energy. And here’s why…
Without supplementation, vitamin D levels tend to hit their lowest point at the very beginning of spring. And research suggests that fatigue is a common, early sign of a vitamin D deficiency.
(That’s probably one major reason why this serious deficiency often goes undiagnosed.)
In fact, in one recent study, 77 percent of people who reported feeling fatigue also had with low vitamin D levels!
Fortunately, after supplementation with 1,250 mcg (50,000 IU) of vitamin D three times per week for five weeks, all the participants reported significant improvements in fatigue. Not to mention…their vitamin D levels increased, too.
Even better, researchers found this dose to be well-tolerated (no adverse events were reported).
Of course, I recommend supplementing with 250 mcg (10,000 IU) of vitamin D3 daily, year-round to maintain optimal blood levels.
Ideally, your levels should fall between 50 and 75 nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL). And springtime marks a great time of year to have them checked. Simply ask your doctor for a blood test called the 25(OH)D (25-hydroxy vitamin D) test.
I also encourage you to spend 15 minutes a day in the sun without sunscreen. You can gradually add more time each day. (Of course, if you plan on being outside for an extended period of time, wear some protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.)
To learn more about the importance of vitamin D supplementation for maintaining good health and energy, check out the June 2021 issue of Insiders’ Cures (“Everything you need to know about proper—and safe—vitamin D supplementation”). If you’re not yet a subscriber, now’s the perfect time to become one and receive access this important report.