Did you know that vitamin D receptors are found in the ovaries, uterus, placenta, testicular tissue, and sperm?
This means that optimal vitamin D levels are crucial for reproductive health – for both females and males!
Research shows that low levels of vitamin D are associated with the following:
- Reduced fertility
- Insulin resistance
- PCOS
- Endometriosis
- Poor IVF outcomes
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes: low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, poor fetal development
- Low testosterone and poor sperm quality in males
The best way to get vitamin D?
Sun exposure! Even just 10 minutes per day can allow you to get a fair amount of vitamin D.
So, get outside on your lunch break for that 10-minute stroll! On average (depending where you live), 30 minutes of sun exposure is equivalent to 10,000 to 25,000 IU of vitamin D (that’s a lot!). Exposing your arms and legs is best for vitamin D absorption.
I usually like checking vitamin D levels 1-2x/year – once before summer/optimal UV time and another time post-summer/fall.