Wonder why you want your vitamin D level to be in the optimal range and functioning properly? There are several things that Vitamin D supports and strengthens... those things include, but are not limited to, your immunity (wound healing),  overall gut health and bone health.

There are many other things that Vitamin D supports and strengthens, but let us also bring to light the two most common health issues that Vitamin D helps lower the risk of ... these two health issues are CANCER and CARDIOVASCULAR events.

I would try and support most patients to be around 40 to 60 ng/mL. There are some instances where 60 to 80 could be considered 'optimal' but that is dependent on several factors in the patient's day-to-day life.

Here is a breakdown of the ranges and the different health risks :

<10 ng/mL : Clinically Deficient

<15 ng/mL : Risk of Rickets

<20 ng/mL : 75% greater risk of colon cancer

<30 ng/mL : Sub-Optimal - increased calcium loss (from bones that would cause osteoporosis), muscle pain, joint & back pain; increased diabetes, schizophrenia, migraines, autoimmune diseases (like lupus, scleroderma, thyroiditis), allergies, pre-eclampsia, increased inflammation, greater risk of depression, and poor wound healing

<34 ng/mL : 2x the risk of heart attacks

< 36 ng/mL : Increased High Blood Pressure

< 40 ng/mL : 3x the risk of multiple sclerosis

40 - 60 ng/mL : Optimal - Varying by individual

> 50 ng/mL : 50% reduction in Breast Cancer & decreased risk of all solid cancers

70 - 80 ng/mL : Slowing in cancer growth in patients with diverse types of cancer

> 100 ng/mL : Increased risk of toxic symptoms (e.g. hypercalcemia), especially if not matched with adequate Vitamin K2 and magnesium intake. Vitamin A is also required.

Some of the most common foods that contain Vitamin D include :

• Cod Liver Oil
• Salmon
• Sword Fish
• Tuna Fish
• Orange Juice (fortified with Vitamin D)
• Sardines
• Beef Liver (if cooked right tastes AMAZING)
• Egg Yolk

You may want to go the route of natural production of vitamin D and that is totally okay ! So, 20 to 30 minutes of exposure to the sun with your arms and legs exposed (depending on your particular genetics) will give you about 10 to 15,000 IU of vitamin D a day. But like I mentioned, there's genetics involved. To sum it up; the darker the skin - the more sun exposure you'll need to get the same amount.

• Download Dr. Deborahs EBook - 8 Supplements for Vitality by clicking here
• Definitely make sure that the supplement that you choose is high quality and doesn't have any negative ingredients in it.
• RAMP UP, because it is a pro hormone.
  • Go low and slow when starting because your receptors need to get acclimated. 
  • Make sure your magnesium levels are really sufficient for your needs before supplementing vitamin D.
• Get your Vitamin D levels tested at least once a year. (Twice a year is better.)