Benefits of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D plays a vital role in health and well-being, as mentioned by Dr. Rhonda Patrick on the Dr. Rhonda Patrick Returns. Dr. Patrick emphasized vitamin D's importance in regulating genes, showing that 70% of people in the United States have suboptimal vitamin D levels, which affects gene function. A meta-analysis she referenced indicated that having vitamin D levels between 40 to 60 nanograms per milliliter resulted in the lowest all-cause mortality and the longest telomeres — suggesting a connection to health and aging. Vitamin D also plays a role in DNA repair, reducing inflammation, muscle strength, and immunity, with supplementation shown to reduce infection risks significantly in deficient individuals. Lastly, adequate vitamin D levels have a beneficial impact on muscle mass and exercise performance 1 2.

To maintain adequate vitamin D, Dr. Patrick highlighted the importance of periodic monitoring through blood tests to attain a dose appropriate for an individual's specific needs, acknowledging the toxicity risk of high levels. Individual variations such as genetics, weight, age, location, and other factors influence the appropriate dosage of vitamin D, with her noting that around 4000 IU in conjunction with vitamin K2 fits her needs 2.