Can Low Vitamin D3 Affect Weight Loss?

It seems that Vitamin D3 deficiency is one of the latest epidemics in our country. A study back from 2000 said that 77% of Americans are D deficient.

In order for our bodies to produce its own Vitamin D, over 40% of our skin needs direct contact with the sunlight at least 20 minutes a day.With doctors telling us to lather up in sunscreen or avoid sun altogether it doesn't surprise me that more and more people are coming up with low vitamin D3.

How Vitamin D affects weight loss

1. Every single cell in our body needs vitamin D to function properly and yes even those dreaded fat cells.


2. Tiny little receptors in your brain require D to shut off the hunger and cravings and produce the mood boosting hormone serotonin. And let's face it we all need a little mood boosting when we're watching our waistline.


3. Vitamin D also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients that are important in the weight loss process. Especially calcium, low calcium causes a huge spike in production of an enzyme called synthase which tells our body to convert calories into fat.


4. With vitamin D rich nutrients, you could potentially increase your weight loss by as much as 70% by shutting off the fat storing process and turn it into fat burning.

What are the symptoms of low vitamin D?

There doesn't seem to be a cut out pattern, but here are a few of the subtle symptoms;

1. Fatigue
2. General muscle pain
3. Muscle cramps
4. oint pain
5. Chronic pain
6. Weight gain
7. High blood pressure
8. Restless sleep
9. Poor concentration
10. Headaches
11. Bladder problems
12. Constipation or diarrhea
13. Obesity

If you think you are vitamin D deficient, the best way to get more is through your diet with foods like eggs, cheese, fish oil, cod liver oil, milk, butter, cream. Unfortunately if you're dieting, not some of the best food choices since most of them are high in fat. Of course Vitamin D supplements are available and doctors are saying we may need as much as 2000iu daily. There is a risk of getting too much D, however, so I would recommend asking your doctor for a simple test to determine if you are low or how low you are and he can then recommend how much D you should be taking daily.

I personally am low on vitamin D, which was discovered by accident through other tests I was having. I was shocked since I spend a lot of time outside, even in the winter. Since I've been taking supplements I feel so much better so the test is well worth it if you think it's possible you could be low too.