Vitamin d

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including immune function, metabolism, and brain health. It's essential to have sufficient vitamin D levels, yet many individuals may be deficient, especially those not getting adequate sunshine.

Andrew Huberman often emphasizes the importance of vitamin D as a preprohormone with functions extending beyond calcium absorption, including gene regulation and suppression of inflammation. The skin acts as an endocrine organ in synthesizing vitamin D from sun exposure, highlighting the importance of spending time outdoors or using vitamin D supplements when necessary 1.

High doses of vitamin D supplementation are generally not recommended due to potential health risks, such as gastric distress. The majority of physicians agree that supplementing with 1000 to 2000 IU of vitamin D per day is likely safe for most people 2. However, some may require higher doses for sufficient vitamin D levels, and individual needs can vary greatly, occasionally requiring dosages as high as 5000 to 10000 IU. It is underscored that testing vitamin D levels is the best way to determine appropriate supplementation levels for individual needs, especially for those with genetic variations that affect vitamin D metabolism 3 4.

Hypercalcemia, a major concern with very high levels of vitamin D supplementation, is unlikely with normal doses such as 1000 to 5000 IUs daily, which for most people will be reasonably safe 5. Nevertheless, it's always safest to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.