Vitamin D is not only important for healthy bones, but also for proper immune function. Now, a study published in the September issue of the Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention journal showed that vitamin D reduced pancreatic cancer by 43%! Other studies have shown benefits for breast and colorectal cancers.

Ask your doctor to test for your vitamin D levels at your next visit. The test should be for the 25-hydroxyvitamin D form also known as 25(OH)D. This simple blood test should show a minimum of 30 nmol/L for you to build good bone. If your levels are below 50 nmol/L, especially at this time of year, you should strongly consider taking vitamin D as a supplement. The reason I say “this time of year” is because your body makes vitamin D from sunlight and since we are just finishing summer your levels should be at a yearly high. I guarantee you that if your levels are low or borderline now they are most certainly low during the winter and into the spring.

So, how much vitamin D should you take? The answer depends on a number of factors including your age and your current serum levels. Thus, it is impossible to give you a specific amount that you should take. If you find out that you have low vitamin D levels you can email me for my specific recommendations.