We’ve all heard that vitamin D is such an important nutrient for life, health, immunity, bone health and cardiovascular support. It’s an important factor for so many physical components of the body. It even influences mood and can help people who are depressed to pull out of it.
Today you’ll receive a deeper understanding of vitamin D and the intricacies of it. The different types of Vitamin D. The best vitamin D sources, and how to retain vitamin D in the body and not lose it.
Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
The 3 Forms Of Vitamin D
Vitamin D1: Vitamin D1 was discovered by German researcher Adolf Windaus. It was said to be a less pure form of Vitamin D that didn’t have much value in increasing Vitamin D levels in the body.
Vitamin D2: Also known as Ergocalcciferol is mainly within mushrooms. Vitamin D2 helps to regulate calcium absorption in the body. D2 (Ergocalciferol) is used to treat hypoparathyroidism (which is simply decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands).
Vitamin D3: The form of vitamin D that has been known to increase vitamin D levels in the body fastest. Mainly found in meat, cheese, eggs.
Vitamin D3 has been shown to be the best way to raise Vitamin D levels in the Blood..
Nutrient Rich Sources of Vitamin D:
- Salmon
- Herring/Sardines
- Cod Liver Oil
- Egg Yolks
- Sunshine!
- Mushrooms (Vitamin D2!)
It is important to remember that the quality of food that you eat matters tremendously. When it comes to what you eat. You want to eat organic, free range, antibiotic and hormone free, GMO free food.
This food will be richest in vitamins, minerals and nutrients as well as containing the least amount of toxic compounds within.
What We’re Not Being Told About Retaining Vitamin D (What We’re Not Being Told)
- 2021 Stats: 41% of the population is deficient in Vitamin D, Hispanic and African population pose higher rates of deficiency. 63% of Hispanics and 82% of African Americans, respectively.
- A new study has found that 80% of Covid patients were Vitamin D deficient. D-oh!
- The body utilizes a process known as Hydroxylation in order to absorb vitamin D. This process is an oxidation reaction in which a carbon–hydrogen bond oxidizes into carbon–hydroxyl bond. There are two hydroxylation processes that occur. One in the liver and one in the kidneys, so taking care of Kidney & Liver health along with having enough carbon & hydrogen in your diet will help uptake the absorption of Vitamin D, retaining more.
- According to Dr. Joe Mercola, vitamin d3 is an oil soluble steroid hormone that is formed when your skin is exposed to UVB light. The UVB light hitting your skin turns into a cholesterol that converts to vitamin D in the skin. But guess what? It can take up to 48 hours for the skin to fully absorb vitamin D. Therefore, washing your body with soap that same day (or next, as crazy as it sounds) can wash the vitamin D in the skin waiting to be absorbed into the bloodstream. In other words, don’t scrub every inch of your body with soap after being exposed to the sun. Go for those essential spots such as the pits and groin! Chances are they didn’t get much sun exposure anyway!
- Vitamin D3 alone is beneficial for blood sugar levels, lowering them. When paired with Vitamin K2 it has an even greater affect on lowering blood sugar levels as well as improving insulin sensitivity, allowing insulin (hormone) to be produced, utilized and recognized by the body in small amounts. This is great news for anyone who is pre-diabetic or has diabetes.
- Vitamin D3 and K2 are both fat soluble vitamins what work together to process the absorption of calcium properly. When calcium is not absorbed properly conditions like arthritis, kidney stones, blood pressure and arterial aging occur at a faster rate as these are conditions where calcium is not absorbed properly and gets lodged in areas of the body that are not beneficial.
- Remember that the more skin exposed to the sunshine the more vitamin D your body will receive! Take off that outer jacket, roll up your pants. If you double how much skin is exposed to the sun you’ll absorb 100% more Vitamin D3! This is the easiest way to absorb more vitamin D faster.
Vitamin K2 Pairs as a Co-factor Nutrient With D3
Rich sources of vitamin K2 include:
1. Natto: A fermented soy beneficial for gut health and rich in k2. This is an estrogen rich food so better for women with low estrogen. Not necessarily recommended for men.
2. Eel: A very rich source of vitamin K2. Eel contains 63 micrograms of vitamin K2 per a 100 gram serving. One serving gives you enough k2 for the day!
3. Beef Liver: One of the healthiest meats you can eat, and also one of the most gnarly tasting foods on the planet. A rich source of k2 as well as vitamin a, copper and other B-vitamins which support the adrenal and nervous system.
4. Chicken: Chicken has more vitamin K2 than both regular beef (with the exception of organ meat) and pork.
5. Butter: One tablespoon of butter has 2.1 micrograms of vitamin k2.
6. Sauerkraut: A fermented food that benefits gut health in so many ways. Fermented cabbage is a great source of vitamin K2 giving your body 2.75 micrograms of K2 per half cup.
As with all food in your diet, be sure to eat organic food and free range, GMO free food. That should go without saying. Quality is everything.
Get more Vitamin D2 and D3 in your diet, and make sure to follow up with vitamin K2 rich foods as well.
Cheers to your health, immunity and strength!
