Do GrassrootsHealth participants change their vitamin D status and supplement use after their first test?

Published on April 9, 2019

GrassrootHealth believes that the key to moving research into practice is to equip individuals with the knowledge needed to take charge of their own health. By providing people with information about the health benefits of achieving a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml, and the ability to find out their vitamin D level though home blood spot testing, we believe that people can be empowered to improve their health and help prevent disease.

Are people empowered?

Do people change their vitamin D status once they find out what their
levels are?
Take a look! (Hint: it works!)

Today, we will provide a summary of what changes GrassrootsHealth participants make after they receive the results of their first test.

Changes in vitamin D status and supplement use between test 1 and test 2

Among 5,442 GrassrootsHealth participants who completed at least two vitamin D tests, the chart below shows that approximately half (51%) achieved 40 ng/ml on their first test compared to two-thirds (67%) on their second test. Also, 77% reported using a vitamin D supplement on their first test, which increased to 90% on their second test.

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Additionally, the median vitamin D supplement intake amount increased from 2000 IU/day on the first test to 4000 IU/day on the second test. Among those who were less than 40 ng/ml on their first test, a majority increased their supplemental intake amount (76%) and their vitamin D level (81%) between their first and second tests.

This data shows that when individuals are provided with the information and tools to take charge of their health, they make changes aimed at improving their health and reducing disease risk. Find out your vitamin D levels today!

How can I track my Vitamin D intake and status?

To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth 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!