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Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
Topics:
Holistic Health and Wellness
Tooth Remineralization Guide

Why Is My Vitamin D Low? The Truth About Deficiency and How to Fix It
Vitamin D rich foods in warm sunlight: salmon, eggs, mushrooms, and supplements

If you have ever wondered, why is my vitamin D low, you are not alone. Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin, and yet most people are not getting enough of it. Low vitamin D is one of the most common nutrient gaps in the country, and it can quietly affect your energy, your mood, your immune system, your bones, and even your teeth.

Here is the good news. Once you understand why your levels drop and how to bring them back up, it is very fixable. Let us walk through what vitamin D does, the real reasons your levels may be low, the signs to watch for, and the simple steps to raise them.

What Is Vitamin D and Why It Matters

Vitamin D is not just a vitamin. It acts more like a hormone, and your body needs it to work the way it should. According to the National Institutes of Health, a large share of adults fall short on this key nutrient.

Here is what vitamin D helps your body do:

  • Supports a healthy immune system, which is why cold and flu season often lines up with low vitamin D season
  • Works with calcium to support strong bones and teeth
  • Supports a steady, positive mood and healthy energy
  • Supports heart and metabolic health, including healthy blood sugar balance

Vitamin D also plays a direct role in dental health. It helps your body absorb and place calcium, the mineral that keeps enamel strong. That is one reason your teeth need vitamin D just as much as your bones do.

Why Is My Vitamin D Low? Common Causes

Low vitamin D usually comes down to a handful of everyday reasons, and most people have more than one working against them.

1. Not Enough Sunlight

Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, but modern life makes it hard to get enough. We spend most of the day indoors. Northern climates go months where the sun is too weak to help. Sunscreen, while great for protecting skin, blocks the UVB rays that make vitamin D. Even air pollution can filter out UV rays before they reach your skin.

2. Not Enough Vitamin D From Food

Very few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D, and the best sources are ones many people rarely eat. Unless fatty fish and egg yolks are regulars on your plate, food alone will usually leave you short.

3. Trouble Absorbing It

Even when you get enough from the sun or your diet, your gut still has to absorb it. Gut issues like a damaged gut lining, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel conditions can lower how much you take in. Low stomach acid can get in the way too. If you suspect your digestion is part of the picture, my guide on how to heal your gut naturally is a great place to start.

4. Aging and Skin Tone

As we age, skin becomes less efficient at making vitamin D, so even time outside may not produce as much. More melanin in darker skin acts like a built-in sunscreen, which means more sun time is needed to make the same amount.

5. Stress, Inflammation, and Body Weight

Chronic stress, ongoing inflammation, and carrying extra weight can all raise how much vitamin D your body uses, or tuck it away in fat cells where it is harder to access. Managing stress, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and supplementing wisely all help.

14 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

Low vitamin D can be easy to miss because the signs are common and easy to blame on a busy life. Here are 14 signs that are worth paying attention to:

  • Ongoing tiredness or low energy
  • Getting sick often or catching every cold that goes around
  • Low or down mood, especially in the winter
  • Bone aches or tenderness
  • Muscle weakness, aches, or cramps
  • Nagging back pain
  • Slow healing after cuts or illness
  • Hair thinning or more shedding than usual
  • Brain fog or trouble concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping well
  • More frequent cavities or weak spots on your teeth
  • Sore or bleeding gums
  • Joint discomfort
  • Feeling low on stamina during everyday activity

Weird Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Some signs of low vitamin D surprise people because they do not seem connected at all. A few of the more unexpected ones include a sweaty scalp, unexplained dizziness or balance trouble, muscle twitches, a heavy or low feeling that comes and goes, and more cavities even with good brushing. If something feels off and you cannot explain it, low vitamin D is worth ruling out with a simple blood test.
Vitamin D rich foods including salmon, eggs, and dairy

Best Vitamin D Foods

Food alone rarely covers your full need, but it helps, and these are the best vitamin D foods to lean on:

  • Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines
  • Cod liver oil
  • Egg yolks, one of the only non-dairy, non-seafood sources
  • Beef liver
  • Fortified dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt
  • Fortified plant milks and cereals
  • Mushrooms grown in UV light, one of the only plant sources

Unless you eat these often, your intake is probably falling short. That is why sun and a quality supplement matter so much, especially through the winter months.
The baking soda stomach acid test for nutrient absorption

How to Raise Your Vitamin D

Raising low vitamin D comes down to three levers: sun, food, and a smart supplement. Use all three and you will get there faster.

1. Get More Sunlight

When you can, aim for 10 to 30 minutes of midday sun on bare arms and legs a few times a week, without sunscreen for that short window. For me, that means time in the garden with my hands in the dirt and my face in the sunshine.

2. Eat More Vitamin D Foods

Work the foods above into your week. Even a couple of servings of fatty fish or a few egg yolks make a difference over time.

3. Take a Vitamin D With K2

Sun and food alone are not enough for most people, especially in the colder months. This is where a quality vitamin D3 supplement helps, and here is the key most people miss: you want vitamin K2 alongside it.

Why Vitamin D Needs K2

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Vitamin K2 makes sure that calcium goes to the right place, into your bones and teeth, instead of settling in your arteries. That is why I formulated my vitamin D and K2 together, and it is also why this pairing matters so much for your smile.

Vitamin D, Your Teeth, and Enamel

Here is the part most people never hear at the dentist. Your teeth are living, mineral-rich tissue, and they rely on the same calcium and vitamin D teamwork as your bones. When vitamin D and K2 help guide calcium into your enamel, they support the natural remineralization that keeps teeth strong.

That is why vitamin D is a quiet piece of the remineralization puzzle. For the full picture, see my guide on how to heal cavities naturally through tooth remineralization, and learn how hydroxyapatite tooth powder helps rebuild enamel from the outside while vitamin D and K2 support it from the inside.

I personally formulated my Vita D 10,000 + Vita K so you get high-quality vitamin D3 and K2 together, without unnecessary fillers, to support mineral absorption, strong bones and teeth, and steady energy and mood.
Vita D 10,000 + Vita K supplement

Vita D 10,000 + Vita K

A dentist-formulated vitamin D3 paired with K2 so calcium goes where it belongs, into your bones and teeth. One capsule a day, no unnecessary fillers.

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How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

Needs vary from person to person, which is exactly why testing matters. General intake guidance from the National Institutes of Health lands around 600 to 800 IU a day for most adults, though many people who are low need more for a season to catch up. The only way to know your number is a simple blood test, so ask your provider to check your level and help you choose a dose that is right for you.

How Long Does It Take to Raise Vitamin D?

It depends on how low you are, how consistent you are, and your sun and diet. Many people feel a difference within a few weeks, and it usually takes about 3 to 6 months of steady habits to fully rebuild your level. Retest after a few months to see where you land.

Can You Take Too Much Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is safe when taken as directed, but very high doses over a long time can throw off your calcium balance. Pairing D with K2 helps your body use calcium properly, and testing keeps your dose in a smart range. When in doubt, work with your provider.

References
Liquid Vita D plus Vita K by Living Well with Dr. Michelle

Liquid Vita D + K

An easy-to-take liquid vitamin D3 with K2, a simple option for the whole family. Vitamin D and K2 work together to support how your body puts calcium to use for healthy bones and teeth.

SHOP NOW Vitamin D3 plus K2 in an easy liquid. Great for kids and families.

So, why is my vitamin D low? For most people it comes down to too little sun, too little from food, and everyday things that lower absorption. The fix is simple, and there is no downside to getting your level where it should be: more sun when you can, more vitamin D foods, and a quality vitamin D with K2 to support your bones, your teeth, and your whole body.

Test your level, talk with your provider, and start building the habit today.

Shop Vita D 10,000 + Vita K

Get the Free Tooth Remineralization Guide
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS, is a biologic and holistic dentist, naturopath, author, and the founder and formulator behind Living Well with Dr. Michelle. After her own health journey through gut and digestive struggles, she built a clean, science-backed line to support the body at the root — for her own family and patients. More than one million bottles of her tooth powder have been sold.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my vitamin D low?

For most people, low vitamin D comes down to limited sun exposure, a diet with few vitamin D foods, and everyday factors that lower absorption like gut issues, aging, darker skin, stress, and extra body weight. Most people have more than one of these at play, which is why levels drift low so easily.

What are the signs of vitamin D deficiency?

Common signs include ongoing tiredness, getting sick often, a low mood in winter, bone and muscle aches, back pain, slow healing, hair thinning, brain fog, poor sleep, and more frequent cavities or sore gums. The signs are easy to blame on a busy life, so a simple blood test is the best way to know for sure.

How do I raise my vitamin D fast?

Use all three levers at once: 10 to 30 minutes of midday sun on bare skin a few times a week, more vitamin D foods like fatty fish and egg yolks, and a quality vitamin D3 supplement paired with K2. Many people feel a difference within a few weeks, and levels usually rebuild over 3 to 6 months of steady habits.

What are the best vitamin D foods?

The richest sources are fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, plus cod liver oil, egg yolks, beef liver, fortified dairy and plant milks, and mushrooms grown in UV light. Unless you eat these often, food alone will usually leave you short, so sun and a supplement help fill the gap.

How much vitamin D do I need per day?

General guidance from the National Institutes of Health lands around 600 to 800 IU a day for most adults, but people who are low often need more for a season to catch up. Because needs vary, the smartest move is to test your level and let your provider help you choose the right dose.

Does vitamin D affect my teeth?

Yes. Vitamin D helps your body absorb and place calcium, the mineral your enamel is made of, and pairing it with K2 helps guide that calcium into your teeth and bones. That support for natural remineralization is one reason your teeth need vitamin D just as much as your bones do.

Can you take too much vitamin D?

Vitamin D is safe when taken as directed, but very high doses over a long time can throw off your calcium balance. Pairing vitamin D with K2 helps your body use calcium properly, and testing your level keeps your dose in a smart range. When in doubt, work with your provider.