Poor Vitamin D Absorption
Is Not Usually the Problem

Poor Vitamin D Absorption is often a problem in people with gastrointestinal diseases or where surgery has removed some of the stomach or small intestine. But most of the time, people who THINK that they have poor absorption of vitamin D are just not simply taking enough.

Most people see the 100% RDA of Vitamin D on their multivitamins and assume that the FDA really knows that 600 IU's or 800 IU's is a sufficient amount of Vitamin D to keep their levels up. So many are surprised and shocked to find that they are Vitamin D Deficient after taking 100% of the RDA of Vitamin D for years- sometimes even decades.

Unfortunately for them, their doctors are equally clueless and believe that the RDA is correct, so they will treat the Vitamin D Deficiency with 300% of the RDA- a big 2000 IU's. But when their patient's levels stay the same or even go DOWN, they think that there is something wrong with their PATIENT when really the problem lies with the DOCTOR.

When you visit the Vitamin D Requirements page, you will see that researchers recommend up to 5000 IU's per day as a Maintenance Dose- and much higher doses are needed in order for the Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency. So, if you think that Vitamin D Absorption is a problem for you, you need to FIRST make sure that you are actually taking enough Vitamin D to get your levels up.

If you ARE taking significant amounts of Vitamin D- over 5000 IU's a day- and your Vitamin D Levels are STILL too low, then there ARE some other factors that can influence vitamin D absorption.

Quality of Vitamin D Supplements

The QUALITY of the Vitamin D Supplements is one of the first things to consider with Vitamin D Absorption. Vitamin D2 - which is what ALL forms of Prescription Vitamin D are made from, have a short and unstable shelf life.

So, the FIRST thing to do if you think that you have a 'Vitamin D Absorption' problem is to ditch the Prescription Vitamin D and make sure that you are getting High Quality Vitamin D3 Supplements instead.

Fat Intake

Vitamin D is one of the fat soluble vitamins. That means that fat is required for it to be absorbed through the stomach. But so many people in our society are 'fat phobic' and will avoid eating fats whenever possible. While a discussion of how much and what kind of fat to eat is a LONG discussion, it is safe to say that we absolutely without a doubt NEED fats, preferably any Substitute for Vegetable Oil for Vitamin D absorption.

So, if you take your Vitamin D as you rush off to work with toast and a glass of orange juice, you're Vitamin D Absorption will be poor- along with all of the other fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and Coenzyme Q10. So, eat some fat with your vitamins- preferably in the form of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and you will benefit in more ways than one.

Intestinal Problems Influence Vitamin D Absorption

If you have any gastrointestinal problems, particularly those that have difficulty digesting and/or absorbing fats, you are likely to have a really hard time absorbing Vitamin D too. People with conditions like celiac disease, Gluten Sensitivity, IBS and Crohn's Disease will likely be Vitamin D Deficient unless they take large amounts of Vitamin D or get a lot of sun. People with Steatorrhea (fat in the stool) and those who have had any part of their stomach or upper intestines removed are not going to absorb vitamin D very well and are going to likely need Vitamin D Supplements- sometimes at very high doses.

While its important for everyone to get a Vitamin D Test, it is IMPERATIVE that anyone with a gastrointestinal or fat absorbing disorder get one and to keep their level within the 'optimal' range as found on the Normal Vitamin D Levels page. In some cases, supplementing just will simply not be enough and these people will need to be able to consistently get a significant amount of sunlight for their vitamin D.

Magnesium Intake

While not Technically a factor in Vitamin D Absorption, magnesium is required in order for Vitamin D to be converted into its 'active form' in the blood. So, if you are magnesium deficient (see the Signs of Magnesium Deficiency page to find out)- then you will likely have difficulty converting the Vitamin D into a usable form in your body. In fact, many of the so-called Side Effects of Vitamin D, like:

Constipation

Muscle Cramps

Insomnia

Agitation

Heart Palpitations

are actually Signs of Magnesium Deficiency and often go away if Magnesium and Vitamin D are taken TOGETHER. To avoid problems, I suggest Never taking large doses of vitamin d without also taking magnesium.

This Study and others have convincingly shown that giving magnesium at the RIGHT Magnesium Dosage can absolutely improve so called Vitamin D Absorption problems.

Too Many Showers Affect Vitamin D Absorption

Many people believe that they get 'plenty' of sun and are then shocked to find out that they are Vitamin D Deficient and believe that there is something wrong with them. But usually it's a much simpler explanation. Most of the time, upon further questioning, those people who believe that they get lots of sun either:

Only get direct sunlight on their skin an hour or so a week

Are not at all tanned

Cover up most of their bodies in the sun

Wear sunscreen regularly

But unless you sunbathe for Several Hours of direct sunlight per week over most of your body, then its likely that you are not getting 'enough' sun to provide you with the LARGE amounts of Vitamin D that you need. But even in Hawaii, where one study was done, young people who got 11 hours of sun per week and who didn't use sunscreen were STILL Vitamin D deficient!

The answer as to why this is the case could lie in our SHOWERING habits. Most people in the western world nowadays take at LEAST one shower per day and couldn't CONCEIVE of going 2 to 3 days without showering. But Vitamin D from the Sun is made IN the oily layer on the skin and is then absorbed through the skin. So, if you either:

Have very dry skin with little oil

OR

Shower every day

you will NOT allow the freshly made vitamin D to be absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream! Every time that you are out in the sun and later take a shower (with soap), you are washing all of that Vitamin D right down the drain.

Are taking your Vitamin D with fats
Are taking significant amounts to treat your deficiency
Are taking Magnesium

And if all else fails, get more sunlight Producing Tanning Bed- and DON'T shower for 24 to 48 hours after sun exposure.

Next --->
Do You Know the Vitamin D Facts

Vitamin D Resources

5000 IU Vitamin D 3 Supplements- Vitamin D3 is really the ONLY vitamin d that you should be taking. Get Vitamin D 3 in a clinically relevant dose for adults

Sunshine Mist Vitamin D Spray- This Vitamin D3 is GREAT for kids. Just a spray a day is all it takes.

The Vitamin D Solution: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problem- Take a look at this EYE OPENING book. This fascinating account of the health benefits of Vitamin D will keep you turning pages far into the night!

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