Winter is coming. This means taking stock and re-evaluating our vitamin and supplement routine. As the seasons change, we need to consider our old friend vitamin D3. I am often still surprised to see low levels of vitamin D in my patients, coming out of Summer. With all of this amazing sun in Denver, Colorado, why would a deficiency of vitamin D3 come up? Well, many people wear sunscreen—including myself. We want to protect our skin from sun damage and reduce our risk for skin cancer. Some people have darker skin tones and therefore more melanin in their skin. This means that they may require even more sun exposure in order to make adequate levels of vitamin D. Others may have genetic variations that predispose them to lower levels of vitamin D. Whatever the case, it is important to check your vitamin D status at least twice a year to see where you are at and find your ideal dosage.

I recently spoke with Sara Lohmeyer (or, as she is sometimes affectionately known: “the Good Witch of Park Hill”), a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and a licensed acupuncturist here in Denver, Colorado. From the point of view of a functional medicine doctor, acupuncture and other traditional treatments can be a great adjunct to a comprehensive integrative health program. Sara has a lot of wonderful things to say about a holistic approach to health and well being. I recommend her practice: Bodies on Point.