What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for bone health, immune function, and hormonal balance. It plays a critical role in calcium absorption and maintaining proper blood levels of minerals like phosphorus.
There are two main forms:
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – naturally produced in human skin from sunlight and found in animal-based foods.
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) – found in some plants and fungi, often used in fortified foods and low-cost supplements.
The Hidden Danger: Synthetic Vitamin D and Rat Poison
What many people don’t realize is that the synthetic form of Vitamin D3, used in some supplements and industrial products, is a key ingredient in certain rodenticides (rat poisons). High doses of synthetic cholecalciferol can cause hypercalcemia—an excessive buildup of calcium in the blood, which leads to kidney failure, internal bleeding, and death in rodents—and potentially serious toxicity in humans.
While therapeutic doses in supplements are much lower than what’s used in poison, the long-term effects of synthetic Vitamin D buildup in the body are still a concern, especially in people who take high-dose supplements without medical supervision.
The Best Source: Sunshine
Your body is designed to produce its own Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun. Just 10–30 minutes of midday sun exposure, a few times a week, is often enough for most people—no pills needed.
Factors like skin tone, location, season, and sunscreen use affect how much Vitamin D your body can make. However, natural sunlight remains the safest, most bioavailable source of Vitamin D.
Animal Foods Rich in Natural Vitamin D
In addition to sunlight, certain traditional animal foods contain significant levels of natural Vitamin D, especially:
- Liver – from beef, chicken, or cod, is rich in D3 and other essential nutrients like vitamin A and B12.
-
Take this if you don’t like the taste
- Lard (pork fat) – especially from pasture-raised pigs, contains Vitamin D stored from sun exposure.
- Egg yolks – from free-range chickens are another great source of D3.
- Cod liver – packed with both vitamins A and D.
Unlike synthetic forms, these natural food sources come with cofactors like fat and enzymes that help the body absorb and utilize the vitamin more effectively.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is crucial for your health—but not all sources are equal. Synthetic supplements, especially when overused, may carry hidden dangers. The safest, most effective way to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels is through moderate sun exposure and natural animal-based foods like liver and lard.
Before relying on high-dose supplements, consider a more holistic and traditional approach to nourishment.
Leave a Reply