If you live anywhere above the latitude of 30 degrees North (or below 30 degrees South), you cannot get enough sunshine on your skin during the winter to make the Vitamin D you need.

Can I eat enough to make up for this? Common sources of Vitamin D in our diet are fish (more concentrated in fish oils, like cod liver oil), mushrooms (increases in Vitamin D after being in the sunshine–they store it!), and Vitamin D-fortified foods. Unfortunately, most people do not get enough from diet, and supplements are often necessary. Even if you’re not much of a pill taker, Vitamin D comes in the form of oil drops that you take by mouth once or twice a day.

The current upper limit for Vitamin D supplementation is 2,000IU per day. If you have your blood tested and it turns out that you are severely Vitamin D deficient, your doctor will put you on a higher dose for a short period of time.

I have put together a few supplements in my virtual dispensary that I find helpful to have on hand during the colder, darker months. These are general recommendations, and do not take into account individual differences. If you are close by, or far away, and would like to ask me some questions or have me create a tailored plan for you, I am now offering Skype consults. Please book here.

To radiant health!

Dr. Katrina