Feeling Run-Down? You May Be Low In Vitamin D

You know that feeling when crawling out of bed feels too much like an effort or lifting your hairbrush seems like a full workout? Even if you're sleeping well, feeling completely worn out often may be a sign that something else is going on. 

Low energy or occasional fatigue is a common complaint of vitamin D deficiency, which is also alarmingly widespread. About 29% of U.S. adults1 are deficient in vitamin D (aka have blood levels less than 20 ng/mL, and 41% of adults1 have insufficient vitamin D levels (less than 30 ng/mL). 

Not having enough vitamin D in your system can leave you feeling sluggish because it helps the mitochondria. If you think back to middle school science, mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell and are responsible for generating energy. Vitamin D helps the mitochondria use oxygen to power cells and muscles. Lacking vitamin D can disrupt mitochondrial efficiency.

Studies have consistently shown that those who report feelings of occasional fatigue2 (characterized not only by low energy but also changes in muscle strength and cognition) have suboptimal vitamin D levels and a worse vitamin D status than those without fatigue. 

Now, while vitamin D sufficiency is considered to be greater than 30 mg/mL, optimal levels are even higher at 50 ng/mL. To achieve and maintain optimal levels, you need about 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily. 

While you could drink about 50 glasses of milk daily to reach that amount of vitamin D, supplements are the best way to efficiently raise low levels of this nutrient.* 

mindbodygreen's vitamin D3 potency+ is formulated to do just that. It delivers 5,000 IU of algal-derived vitamin D3 (which is better than D2) along with healthy, organic fats like avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, and flaxseed oil to further aid absorption.*