Many people have asked me about supplements. My answer: this should be personalized and established in partnership with a medical provider. I'm much more focused on a quality diet than supplements, but vitamin D3/K2 is something we take consistently. The vast majority of Americans are deficient in vitamin D (aka "the sunshine vitamin," though it's actually a hormone). This is a concern because vitamin D plays a role in countless functions including bone health, calcium absorption, reducing inflammation and boosting mood (source). Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, diabetes, infections and immune system disorders, certain cancers, and autoimmune issues such as multiple sclerosis (source). A deficiency can also impact mental health (source). Experts are currently examining a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and higher Covid-19 hospitalization and mortality rates. There haven't been randomized, controlled trials, so this is not conclusive (more here), but the findings are certainly noteworthy. Considerations + tips to discuss with your doctor: Have your vitamin D levels checked so that you can supplement appropriately if needed. This may look different seasonally. Vitamin D and vitamin K work synergistically. D3 and K2 are widely believed to be the best forms for supplementation, which is why I use a D3/K2 combined supplement.
Check out this post from Dr. Mark Hyman for more info. |