How many GrassrootsHealth participants take additional extra-large doses of vitamin D?

Published on October 29, 2019

On the GrassrootsHealth health and lifestyle questionnaire, participants were asked about any extra-large vitamin D doses in the prior 2 months starting in 2017. Participants may take these extra-large doses that replace or are in addition to their usual vitamin D intake to treat an illness or other symptoms such as pain. What is considered an extra-large dose is variable and based largely on the regular dose used by the participant. For example, while 10,000 IU may be a regular daily dose for some, it may be an extra-large dose someone who usually takes 2,000 IU/day.

For those participants who reported taking an extra-large vitamin D dose in the prior 2 months (7%), the average amount per day was 10,000 IU (250 mcg). The chart below shows the percent of participants for several dosing ranges. Approximately one-third (30%) took less than 10,000 IU/day (250 mcg), one-third (34%) took between 10,000 and 19,999 IU/day (250-500 mcg), and one-third (36%) took 20,000 IU/day (1,250 mcg) or more.

Click to Enlarge & Print

The average number of days the extra-large dose was taken was 4 days. The chart below shows the percent of participants for several ranges of time. Approximately half (52%) took the extra-large dose for 4 days or fewer, 26% took it for more than 4 days but less than 2 weeks, and 21% took it for more than 2 weeks.

Click to Enlarge & Print

Are you concerned about your vitamin D level and intake?

Testing your vitamin D level regularly and taking steps to keep it at a target level of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) is important for all stages of health. Through GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, you can also test your omega-3 status, inflammation levels, and levels of essential nutrients and toxins. Find out your levels today! Log on to the shop (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your level can be improved.

Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!

Click Here to Access the Shop Page

How can I track my nutrient intake and levels over time?

To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. This will help you know your true supplemental intake and what patterns of use work for you to reach and maintain optimum nutrient levels. Check it out today!

How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!

STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health

STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study

STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there

STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)

Enroll in D*action and Build Your Custom Test Kit!