It’s been brutally cold around here lately. I just heard that February 2015 will be the first month since 1978 when the temperature has not gone above 0°C in the Greater Toronto Area. That’s how cold it’s been!
To make matters worse, the short winter days usually mean low vitamin D levels. Yet, my levels always test high around this time of year, and I don’t take any extra vitamin D supplements beyond what’s in my multivitamin.
How Do I Do It?
Through the use of safe sunlamps. I own a special stand-up tanning unit that shields harmful emissions and has been recommended by the Vitamin D Council as a safe and effective way to achieve natural vitamin D levels. Unfortunately, this UV device is no longer available for purchase.
In Mass Explosion, I discuss the optimal tanning dosage, and it’s really not much. But suffice it to say, this method beats supplementation any day. If you start low and gradually build up exposure, it’s:
- Safer – You can’t overdose from skin exposure, but you can from supplements.
- More Effective – Vitamin D3 from supplements is unsulfated, while vitamin D3 synthesized from the skin is in its sulfated form, which provides greater health benefits.
The Challenge
I challenge any healthcare practitioner who prescribes vitamin D supplements (to non-infant patients or clients) to put their supplements up against my sunlamps—and let’s see who wins.
