Vitamin D is crucial for our bodies’ ability to absorb and regulate the calcium and phosphate we consume from our diet. This absorption process promotes the circulation of vitamin D in our bloodstream and is responsible for delivering essential health benefits in many areas of the body.

However,  health specialists have found that the number of Americans receiving adequate levels of vitamin D has declined over the past few decades to startling levels. Why?

Here are some of the main factors that can affect your body’s vitamin D absorption and regulation:

• Your age: As we age, our skin gradually loses its ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight, increasing the risk of deficiency. Not only that, but elderly individuals typically have far less opportunities to partake in outdoor activities that would warrant sufficient vitamin D levels from sunlight.
• Your diet: The foods we eat can be a great source of vitamin D, but this can be quite difficult to track day-to-day. It is particularly difficult for people with plant-based lifestyles to consume enough vitamin D3, since it is largely found in meat and animal products like beef, fish, cheese, and milk.
• Your skin: The darker someone’s skin is, the less sunlight it absorbs. This means that people with dark skin tones do not absorb as much vitamin D from sun exposure as people with lighter skin tones. When looking closer at the statistic mentioned in the beginning of this article, researchers found that only 10% of the African American population was receiving sufficient vitamin D in the early 1990s, decreasing to only 5% by the early 2000s.
• Your location: Your body only produces vitamin D after your skin is exposed to sufficient sunlight, making it more difficult for people in northern climates. According to recent studies, only U.S. residents who live south of a line drawn from Los Angeles to Columbia, S.C., get enough sunlight for vitamin D production throughout the year.
• Your weight: A recent study found that overweight/obese women who lost more than 15% of their body weight experienced significant increases in vitamin D levels in their bloodstreams. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient, meaning it is stored in fat. When your body has an excess of fat, less of the vitamin is able to be circulated in the bloodstream to be distributed to the areas of your body that need it.
• Your health: There are certain pre-existing conditions and diseases that can make it more difficult for people to absorb sufficient vitamin D. This includes liver disease, diseases affecting the kidneys, cystic fibrosis, and more.

What is the Best Way to Get Enough Vitamin D?

Here at Green Leaf Sciences, we know how important it is for you to maintain your preferred diet while also getting the essential nutrients your body needs. We also know how important it is to be able to track the amount of Vitamin D you are consuming on a regular basis, especially if your healthcare provider has recommended that you increase your daily intake.

That’s why we provide all-natural, vegan vitamin D3 supplements in the form of capsules (soft gel and regular), gummies, and a spray. 

Made with VitaShine, this exclusive source of D3 comes from a special organic plant called lichen, a species that has the ability to grow and accumulate nutrients including vitamin D3 and more.

Learn more about the benefits of our vitamin D3 supplements on our website.
At Green Leaf Sciences, we are committed to directly linking scientific discoveries to consumer and patient needs. Through our partnerships with practitioners across the United States, we are able to bridge the gap between high-quality supplements and medical care to create a better patient experience. Learn more about us here.