Some years ago I got some blood work done. I hadn’t been for a regular visit to the doctor in a while and was just recovering from a nasty eye infection that had damaged my cornea.
When I got the results, one of the more glaring highlights (there were a few, which was disturbing to me as an athlete and coach) was a Vitamin D deficiency. Reading this on the lab report led to an epiphany: my immune system was likely compromised and leaving me vulnerable to unnecessary sickness because my Vitamin D was low.
I took immediate and decisive action. I sought out my favourite health supplement store and purchased some Vitamin D drops. From that day onward, I started religiously supplementing with Vitamin D, which is a ritual I continue to follow, along with several other key supplements as part of my Longevity Path stack.
Qualitatively I feel fantastic. Increasing my Vitamin D intake along with other longevity practices has enhanced everything, from energy levels to immunity to mood, stamina and vitality.
Quantitatively my blood levels of Vitamin D are now at the high end of the range. Now I hardly ever get sick, and when I do, my recovery is so much better.
The Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin D is woefully low and needs revision. For those on The Longevity Path having optimal Vitamin D levels is crucial for living a life full of vitality, energy, and wellness.
Let me dive deeper into why Vitamin D is so important. Vitamin D3 is often called the sunshine vitamin and is one of the most important vitamins for overall health. While classified as a vitamin, it is more accurately a fat-soluble hormone that is made by the body from cholesterol. Vitamin D3 has numerous roles in the body, including supporting growth and development during adolescence, optimizing hormone function, and providing protection from infection and disease.
Vitamin D3 has been demonstrated to increase testosterone levels in men. A double-blind study conducted on 165 subjects for a year noted an increase in free and total testosterone. Testosterone is a powerful hormone noted for its role in building muscle and strength, as well as for male sex characteristics.
Vitamin D3 has also been clinically shown to improve body composition in conjunction with exercise. A 12-week study conducted on overweight and obese adults who engaged in weight-training and took Vitamin D3 showed improvements in peak power and waist-to-hip ratio.
There are so many benefits that Vitamin D3 provides that I could literally write a book on it. Get your levels checked with a blood test and if you are deficient, start supplementing after consulting with a healthcare practitioner such as a wellness coach, nutritionist or naturopath. Optimizing your Vitamin D levels is one of the best ways to improve your overall health.