The Healthy Programmer

Dosing on Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an organic compound that is naturally present in very few foods, but humans are able to synthesize the vitamin when ultraviolet radiation penetrates the skin. Our bodies are even capable of storing the excess we produce in our liver and fat so that it can be released later—this is what allowed the Finns to survive at their extreme northern latitudes for so many generations. But vitamin D deficiency is no longer unique to Finland. One study found that as many as fifty-one percent of Australian office workers have a vitamin D deficiency,^[128] and Australia is not known for lack of sunlight.

Go get some vitamin D right now. Step outside, roll up your sleeves, and expose as much of your skin to the sun as possible. ...