Stop Taking Vitamin D & Start Fixing How Your Body Makes It

In today’s post, we’re diving deep into a topic that might challenge everything you thought you knew about Vitamin D. If you've been told that supplementing with Vitamin D is essential for your health, this post will open your eyes to the often-overlooked risks and why nature's approach is superior. By the end, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of why your body is designed to make its own Vitamin D, the unintended consequences of supplementing with man-made synthetic Vitamin D, and how to support your body’s natural processes for optimal health.

The Hidden Dangers of Synthetic Vitamin D
Many people believe that low Vitamin D levels automatically mean you need to supplement. However, what most don’t realize is that Vitamin D is not just a vitamin—it’s a steroid hormone. Your body is naturally equipped to produce and regulate Vitamin D in precisely the right amounts. Taking synthetic forms of it can disrupt this natural balance in ways you might not expect. Supplementing with Vitamin D can lead to potassium depletion, disrupt iron metabolism, and increase calcium absorption at the expense of magnesium (Ferris et al., 1962; Reddy & Edwards, 2019). This imbalance contributes to oxidative stress and can leave you with more health issues while throwing off the natural balance the body requires to feel good. Furthermore, research from Johns Hopkins University has shown that there is no clinical benefit in having 25(OH) Vitamin D levels greater than 21 ng/mL (Amer et al., 2012), despite the common recommendation to maintain higher levels. Rather than boosting your health, these supplements may be silently undermining it.

What Does Your Body Need to Make Its Own Vitamin D?
Instead of asking how much Vitamin D you should supplement, the real question is: What does your body need to make its own Vitamin D in just the right way? The answer lies in three key factors: adequate sunlight exposure, sufficient magnesium, and high-quality retinol from animal fats. Sunlight is the natural trigger for Vitamin D production in the skin, but without enough magnesium, your body can’t convert Vitamin D into its active form (Reddy & Edwards, 2019). Retinol, the active form of animal-sourced Vitamin A, is equally critical for modulating immune responses and ensuring the balance of other fat-soluble vitamins. When these elements are in place, your body produces exactly the amount of Vitamin D it needs—no more, no less.

Nature’s Solution: Supporting Your Body’s Natural Processes
Rather than relying on synthetic supplements, the key to vibrant health lies in supporting your body’s natural hormone production and nutrient cycling. This means getting adequate sunlight exposure to naturally stimulate Vitamin D production and consuming nutrient-dense, whole foods like heritage-raised animal products, organ meats, and fermented foods. These foods are rich in the magnesium, copper, and retinol your body needs to regulate Vitamin D naturally. Additionally, one of the best ways to obtain nature-made Vitamin D is through high-quality cod liver oil, such as Jigsaw or Rosita's brand CLO, which provides a balanced source of Vitamin D and essential nutrients. By focusing on real, ancestral foods and natural sources like cod liver oil, you’re giving your body the tools it needs to thrive without the risks associated with synthetic interventions.

Take Control of Your Health the Natural Way
We've covered why your body is designed to produce its own Vitamin D, the hidden risks of synthetic supplements, and the importance of nutrients like magnesium, copper, and retinol. By understanding the bigger picture of how your body manages nutrients and hormones, you can make more informed decisions that lead to lasting health. If you're ready to ditch the synthetic supplements and embrace real whole food, ancestral wisdom, and foundational healing as nature intends, I invite you to work with me at Rejuvenance.com. Together, we can unlock your body’s full potential and guide you toward vibrant, sustainable health.

References

Amer, M., & Qayyum, R. (2012). "Relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and all-cause mortality in the general population: a meta-analysis." American Journal of Cardiology, 109(10), 1510-1515.

Ferris, T. F., Levitin, H., Phillips, E. T., & Epstein, F. H. (1962). RENAL POTASSIUM-WASTING INDUCED BY VITAMIN D*\u2020. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 41(6), 1222–1229. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci104583

Gossweiler, M. (2024). "High-dose vitamin D supplementation and its effects on bone integrity." Journal of Orthopedic Research, 42(1), 45-53.

Reddy, P., & Edwards, L. R. (2019). "Magnesium Supplementation in Vitamin D Deficiency." American Journal of Therapeutics, 26(1), e124–e132. https://doi.org/10.1097/mjt.0000000000000538