From the Research
Vitamin D deficiency is related to fatigue, and supplementation may help improve energy levels in deficient individuals. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, suggests that a daily vitamin D supplementation with 2000 IU (50 µg) may be considered a simple, effective, and safe dosage to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in the adult general population. This study argues that such a dose may improve some health outcomes and is sufficient to raise and maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations above 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) and above 75 nmol/L (30 ng/mL) in >99% and >90% of the general adult population, respectively.
Key Points
- Vitamin D plays crucial roles in multiple body systems, including muscle function, immune response, and calcium absorption, which explains its connection to energy levels 2, 3, 4
- The body produces vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight, but many people have insufficient sun exposure or other risk factors for deficiency such as darker skin, obesity, or living in northern latitudes 5
- Supplementation is generally safe, but extremely high doses should be avoided without medical supervision as vitamin D is fat-soluble and can accumulate in the body 5, 1
- A 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test can help determine if an individual has a vitamin D deficiency, and supplementation can be tailored to their specific needs 2, 3, 4
Recommendations
- If you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, ask your healthcare provider for a 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test to check your levels 2, 3, 4
- Consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement of 2000 IU (50 µg) to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1