Vitamin D, MS and how we absorb it – MUST WATCH

I stumbled across this video just after I got home from hospital, and I’m SO soo glad I found it.

This is a functional medicine practitioner, nutritionist, and chiropractor explaining the benefits of getting daily vitamin D and how our bodies process it once the sun hits the skin. I had no idea the role our kidneys and liver play in the conversion process, but he breaks it all down so well and explains why vitamin D is integral for people with MS. He has a real knack for explaining things and keeps the technicalities of it all really easy-to-understand with helpful visuals along the way.

“Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.

Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.”
— Institute for Functional Medicine

On OMS we’re advised to get 15–20 minutes of sun exposure 5-7 days a week when the UV index is 5 or higher, and before applying sunscreen, with sun exposure on as much skin as feels comfortable.

I personally love going for walks in the sun which you’ve probably noticed if you follow me on instagram, usually by the sea and up the local hill, which on a sunny day gives me plenty of sun exposure. Otherwise, I’ll just sit outside to eat lunch in the sun.

When I don’t get sun exposure I take a vitamin D3 supplement, 5000iu as advised on OMS. But do note that if you’re going to supplement, make sure you’re taking vitamin D3, not vitamin D2 — as D2 is synthetic and strangely sometimes the type doctors often prescribe. I’m not a Dr but because I’ve learnt this for myself I want to pass on this important information.

I personally like to wear sunblock on my face and a hat, but I let my body soak up the sun — especially when I’m out walking. Sometimes I’ll put a little sunblock on the back of my neck and tops of my shoulders since they tend to catch the sun the most. Otherwise, my arms and legs are free to soak up all the vitamin D they want. But in saying that, if I’m at the beach, after about 20 minutes I’ll apply sunscreen or earlier if I feel like I might burn, as the sun here in New Zealand is really strong, but I generally only stay/last at the beach for a few hours at a time.