Key Takeaways
- Dr. Parsons says nearly everyone she tests has low vitamin D, even in sunny California.
- Sunscreen, covering up, time indoors, the sun's angle, and how well your skin converts vitamin D all play a role.
- A vitamin D blood test is simple and inexpensive, so test rather than assume.
It's easy to assume that living in sunny California means your vitamin D levels are fine. In this myth-versus-fact video, Dr. Parsons explains why that's a myth.
Most People She Tests Are Low
Dr. Parsons tests vitamin D in most of the patients she sees, and she says 99% of the time, their levels are low.
Why Sunshine Isn't Enough
- You may not spend much time outside.
- Sunscreen, long sleeves, hats, and long pants keep the sun from reaching your skin.
- The angle of the sun may not give you the right UV light for your skin to make vitamin D.
- Some people don't convert vitamin D well in their skin to begin with.
Get Tested
Instead of assuming, Dr. Parsons recommends getting a vitamin D blood test. It's simple and inexpensive, and vitamin D is involved in many different functions in the body. She warns that for some people, the first sign of low vitamin D is something as serious as a bone fracture.
Find out where your levels stand. Learn more about how we approach vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.
Read the full video transcript
Myth versus fact: if you're out in the sun all day, you don't need vitamin D supplementation. That's a myth. Yes, we live in sunny California, and the assumption is, "Oh, all you Californians, your vitamin D is fine." But I test the majority of people that come to see me, and 99% of the time, vitamin D levels are low. Why is that? Part of it could be that maybe you don't go outside much, or you're slathering on sunscreen because you want to protect your skin, or you're wearing long sleeves, a hat, and long pants to protect yourself. That's part of it. The other part depends on the angle of the sun versus the rotation of the Earth. You may not be getting the right UV light to get it converted in your skin, or you may not convert it well in your skin to begin with. So don't assume. Actually get the blood test done. It is simple, easy, breezy, and inexpensive, because vitamin D is hardwired into so many different functions in your body. And your first sign of low vitamin D could be something like a bone fracture. Yikes. Get it checked.
Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC, CCN, DACBN, DACNB
Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC, CCN, DACBN, DACNB is a Doctor of Chiropractic, certified clinical nutritionist, and brain wellness expert with 34+ years serving Fresno families at The Natural Path Health Center.
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