VITAMIN D INTAKE NEEDS TO BE HIGHER THAN RECOMMENDATIONS. Ok..no big shocker here, but wanted to include this just in case you think I’m on my own crusade to increase Vit D intake.
This study took a much deeper look into how much Vit D we need based on skin type and season. Not surprisingly, darker skin individuals may need upwards of 3,000 IU / day to maintain healthy levels. This is over 7 times higher than the current RDA, but don’t expect gov’t recommendations to change at the speed of light (so to speak…). Other things to consider personally…there is some concern that UVA penetrating through glass may break down Vit D being formed in the skin.
So for those of you driving around in AZ in the summer with your windows up, you may have lower D levels than you think. Also, it takes >12-24 hrs to fully absorb Vit D formed in the skin, so if you take a shower at night, you may be washing off the Vit D your body is trying to form. Bottom line–if you’re not supplementing yet, you need to be.