CHANGE THE CLOCKS MEANS CHANGE YOUR DOSAGE

The winter to spring change in season brings many positives.  We see the grass as the snow melts, the days finally begin to warm and sun light starts to feel and look better, just to name a few.  Of course, this year we will also begin to see more faces than we have in the past 2 COVID years.  The primary negative in the fall is the shorter daylight and seemingly shorter days.  The positive in the spring is the longer daylight and seemingly longer days.  The angle of the sunlight is also more direct, in the spring, making it much more beneficial to our body. That angle change will increase body’s ability to produce and maintain vitamin D.  A crucial nutrient for many body functions, immunity and mental acuity are 2 that we focus on along with D’s ability to help deliver calcium to bone.  This year, as we emerge from a pandemic, getting outdoors will be quite welcomed. 

I generally have my patient’s take small doses of vitamins more often thru the day rather than take mega doses once a day.  Much better assimilation.  When it comes to Vitamin D, however, here is a good rule to follow.  This time of year when we turn the clocks ahead (spring ahead) turn the vitamin D3 back to 1000mg once a day.  Most of you have been taking 2 per day or 2000mg during the winter months of less sunlight hours. If you have been taking more than 2000mg then just reduce by 1000mg per day; 3000 becomes 2000, 5000 becomes 4000 etc. This time of year let the sun and your body do the work. 

Taking more is not necessary (of course, a blood test showing lower D3 levels will alter the dosage, however, it can still be and should be lower this time of year) and you will not benefit any differently by maintaining the higher dose throughout the spring and summer months. 

Therefore, reduce dosage by 1000mg per day  starting March 13, 2022 the first day of daylight savings time.  There is nothing magical about our choice of date to adjust the clocks.  It is just that it happens twice a year and close to the change of sun angles.  A good reminder, turn the clock ahead and your D3 dosage back in spring.  Clocks back in the fall and D3 up in the fall.

Enjoy the sunlight!