Question: While I try to consume foods that will create vitamin D (salmon, etc.), how do I know when enough is enough? If I have 20 minutes of sun exposure, and then enjoy a salmon steak, is that more than needed? Does the body store vitamin D, and for how long?
Dr. Beer's answer: Vitamin D is something that we all need and it is something that can be measured in a blood test. (There are a few different ways to measure it, so ask your doctor to order 25-OH D). After ascertaining the level of vitamin D, you can decide whether you have enough or need more.
If you need more, it is easy to supplement and there are readily available vitamin D capsules in most pharmacies. I would recommend supplementing with oral vitamin D if you are low and then repeating the lab in about one month. Most people I check are low, and when we give vitamin D, their levels improve.
You can also increase the amount of vitamin D with sunlight but I would recommend moderation so that you do not burn. If you get all your vitamin D from the sun or tanning beds, the risk exceeds the benefit. Don’t forget that you can also increase vitamin D easily by changing your diet to foods rich in this vitamin.
In short, measure your vitamin D to see where you are and adjust your diet, supplementation, and sun exposure accordingly.
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