Now with a new infographic to share! Here are the most important co-nutrients to support our body’s use of vitamin D (and vice versa)
Important Nutrients to Make Sure You Are Getting Along with Vitamin D
Greetings!

Here at GrassrootsHealth, we focus a lot on vitamin D specifically – and while it is an especially important and unique nutrient, and the majority of the population is vitamin D deficient, its importance should not overshadow that of other nutrients our bodies need along with it.

To highlight several key nutrients that are especially important to get with vitamin D, because of how they work together for certain processes within the body, and/or affect vitamin D utilization, absorption, and levels, we have created this easy-to-share infographic. Remember – it is still essential to ensure that your vitamin D serum level is at least between 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) as recommended by vitamin D scientists and experts, however, it is just as important to make sure you are getting an adequate supply of other nutrients through a healthy, balanced diet and/or supplementation.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an important co-nutrient for vitamin D, and is involved in the biosynthesis, transport, and activation of vitamin D. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, however, an estimated 42% of young adults have ongoing magnesium deficiency. This can lead to problems with energy metabolism, muscle function, blood pressure regulation, insulin metabolism, cardiovascular function, nerve transmission, neuromuscular contraction, and more. Here are some key points about magnesium’s relationship with vitamin D.
Read more about the relationship between vitamin D and magnesium here.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 in our diet comes mostly from fermented foods, and from bacteria on foods that produce vitamin K (times before refrigeration). Similar to vitamin D, vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that should be taken with a fatty meal, and it plays many roles within the body.
Learn more about the relationship between vitamin D and vitamin K here.
Other Important Vitamin D Co-nutrients Include:
  • Calcium – absorbed from the gut with the help of vitamin D, and is crucial for bone health; it also may increase the cancer-fighting benefits of vitamin D; women should get 1200 mg/day, men 900 mg/day (from diet and supplements) (Lappe et al., 2017)

  • Boron – helps increase vitamin D activating enzymes vitamin D and is essential to bone health

  • Zinc – absorbed from the gut with the help of vitamin D, works along with vitamin D for immune function, and is an important component of vitamin D receptors

  • Selenium – works with vitamin D reduce inflammation, improve immune function, and helps activate vitamin D within the cells; both are also involved in glutathione production and status

  • Vitamin C and B Vitamins – have been shown to increase the vitamin D level in response to supplemental intake

  • Omega-3s – work with vitamin D for immune health, regulating inflammation, and many other functions; both are especially important during pregnancy
How Much More Supplemental Vitamin D was Needed Without Enough of These Co-Nutrients?
Several nutrients seem to especially influence how an individual’s vitamin D level responds to their vitamin D supplementation amount (this is called the dose-response).

The calculations below show how much more supplemental vitamin D was needed, on average, for participants to achieve a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L), for those not taking each nutrient in supplement form compared to those taking each nutrient.

  • 244% more without taking both magnesium and K2
  • 146% more without taking at least 400 mg/day magnesium
  • 115% more without taking at least 200 mcg/day vitamin K2
  • 14% more without taking at least 500 mg/day calcium
  • 63% more without taking at least 20 mg/day vitamin B6
  • 61% more without taking at least 500 mcg/day vitamin B12
  • 94% more without taking at least 1,000 mg/day vitamin C
  • 72% more without taking probiotics
Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D & Other Important Nutrients?
Measuring our levels of vitamin D and other important nutrients and health markers can be considered one way to check-in with our health status and guide us towards the steps to take next in improving and supporting our health.

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Choose which additional nutrients to measure, such as your omega-3s and essential minerals including magnesium and zinc, by creating your custom home test kit today. Take steps to improve the status of each of these measurements to benefit your overall health. With measurement you can then determine how much is needed and take steps to achieve your goals. You can also track your own intakes, symptoms and results to see what works best for YOU.
What does the Research Say about Vitamin D & COVID-19?
The eBook, Vitamin D & COVID-19, A Summary of Published Research, is a condensed and concise compilation of much of the published research on vitamin D and COVID-19, easy to read and share as a downloadable, printable PDF. Your purchase helps to further public knowledge and education of this invaluable research! Be sure to educate yourself on the benefits and importance of vitamin D for immune health, and take steps to ensure you and your loved ones are getting enough.
What Does it Take YOU to Get Your D to 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L)?
Did you know that everyone responds differently to vitamin D supplement amounts - by up to 6 times!? Your health could be greatly affected by making sure you have a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L). Help us help you.
Don't get stuck with low vitamin D levels - learn more about what might affect your level and response to supplementation, and the steps to take through each season to keep levels in your target range.
Sperti Vitamin D Sunlamps
The Sperti Vitamin D Sunlamp, model D/UV-F, provides the special UVB rays needed for your body to produce Vitamin D. It is the only FDA recognized ultraviolet product for Vitamin D production in the human body, and independent studies have verified its effectiveness.

See how it works for you.
Look for our special project enrollment opportunity with Sperti!
Highly Absorbed Magnesium
Dr. Carolyn Dean is a medical doctor, naturopath, and author of over 35 books including best seller The Magnesium Miracle. With 40 years of experience, she offers proprietary, unique formulations that give every individual at any stage of wellness or illness the necessary building blocks for sustained health, vitality and well-being.

Participate in our special Magnesium*PLUS Focus project offered by RnAReSet.
The Helen Knoll Foundation
The Helen Knoll Foundation (HKF) mission is to prevent breast cancer by empowering young women through risk awareness education, advocacy and access to age appropriate screenings. HKF with GrassrootsHealth is launching the Know YOUR Number campaign to help Stop Breast Cancer Before it Starts by working with local groups to provide vitamin D blood spot testing and project enrollment events.
Have a beautiful and HEALTHY day.
Text-to-give: Text Daction to 44321
Onwards,
Carole Baggerly
Director, GrassrootsHealth
A Public Health Promotion & Research Organization Moving Research Into Practice NOW!
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Encinitas, CA 92024
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