by Dr. Joseph Mercola, Mercola:
Story at-a-glance
- Vitamin D3 is important for bone strength and immune function; your body produces it naturally from sunlight or you can get it through supplements when sun exposure is limited
- The optimal blood level of vitamin D is between 60 and 80 ng/mL; to stay in this range, test your levels regularly and adjust sun exposure or supplementation accordingly
- Getting safe sun exposure requires monitoring your skin for even a slight shade of pink, while avoiding peak hours until you’ve reduced seed oil consumption for six months
- Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include darker skin, older age, living in northern climates, limited outdoor time, obesity and certain digestive conditions
- Beyond bone health, optimal vitamin D levels help reduce your risk of chronic diseases, autoimmune conditions and mood disorders, while improving COVID-19 outcomes