Thrive with Carli

𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐃: 𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧? 🇿🇦🌞

For a second last post in this Vitamin D series let me share a surprising fact with you:

Despite our beautiful sunny climate, 30–60% of South Africans may have suboptimal Vitamin D levels — especially in urban, dark-skinned, or older populations.

Here’s why this matters:

🧬 Your Vitamin D status isn’t just about sun exposure. Genetics, skin tone, age, diet, and lifestyle all play a role.

🧑🏿‍🦱 Darker skin = more melanin = less UVB absorption, so more sun is needed for the same D3 boost.

🏙️ Urban lifestyle, indoor jobs, and sunscreen use reduce natural synthesis.

🥬 Poor dietary intake (few natural sources + limited fortification) adds to the gap.

🧓 Age and health conditions (like obesity or kidney disease) impair conversion to active vitamin D.

🧪 Genetics matter! Some people need higher levels due to variations in vitamin D receptor sensitivity or transport proteins.

✅ As dietitians & health professionals, let’s stay curious and evidence-informed.

Vitamin D is a foundation — but it’s not the whole story when it comes to metabolism, energy, or performance…

🎉 Next up: Genetics matter in Vitamin D levels!

Share this NB information with family and friends!

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙑𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝘿 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?

Vitamin D plays a surprising but critical role in weight regulation, especially if you're working on fat loss or trying to maintain a lean, metabolically healthy body composition.

Here’s how PART 2:

🛌 Improves Sleep Quality – Better sleep = better weight outcomes. Vitamin D receptors in the brain influence circadian rhythm and melatonin production.

🌱 Reduces Inflammation – Chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to weight retention and insulin resistance. D3 has anti-inflammatory properties that can help shift the body into a more fat-burning, health-promoting state.

⚠️ Studies show that individuals with higher body fat percentages often have lower serum Vitamin D levels — and that supplementing can improve weight-related markers over time.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿: Sustainable weight management is about nourishing the body, balancing key systems, and understanding the root contributors — not just cutting calories.

This is why I always recommend testing Vitamin D levels (25(OH)D blood test), especially if you’re struggling with fatigue, cravings, stubborn weight, or mood dips despite doing “all the right things.”

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 — 𝙡𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨 ✨

Join me next week for some more valuable information on Vitamin D optimisation

Share this NB information with family and friends!

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙑𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝘿 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?

Vitamin D plays a surprising but critical role in weight regulation, especially if you're working on fat loss or trying to maintain a lean, metabolically healthy body composition.

Here’s how PART 1:

🧠 Supports Hormonal Balance – D3 influences insulin sensitivity and cortisol regulation, both of which impact fat storage and appetite control.

🔥 Boosts Metabolic Function – Low levels are linked to sluggish metabolism and difficulty burning fat efficiently.

💪 Preserves Lean Muscle Mass – This vitamin helps support muscle strength, especially when combined with protein and resistance training — key for maintaining a healthy resting metabolic rate.

⚠️ Studies show that individuals with higher body fat percentages often have lower serum Vitamin D levels — and that supplementing can improve weight-related markers over time.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿: Sustainable weight management is about nourishing the body, balancing key systems, and understanding the root contributors — not just cutting calories.

This is why I always recommend testing Vitamin D levels (25(OH)D blood test), especially if you’re struggling with fatigue, cravings, stubborn weight, or mood dips despite doing “all the right things.”

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 — 𝙡𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨 ✨

Join me next week for some more valuable information on Vitamin D optimisation

Share this NB information with family and friends!