Biological Dentistry with the Swiss Biohealth concept in Spain through BDS.

5 Tips for Maintaining Good Vitamin D Levels Year-Round

8/26/20243 min read

The Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is very important for bone health and plays a crucial role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in our bodies. Maintaining adequate levels is essential to ensure the integrity of our bones, especially considering its importance in the dental procedures performed at BDS, such as zirconia implants. Below, we will outline five practical tips for maintaining good vitamin D levels year-round.

1. Adequate Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is one of the most effective sources of vitamin D. Our bodies produce this vitamin when the skin is directly exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is recommended to have at least 15 minutes of daily sun exposure on your arms and legs, preferably when the sun's angle is greater than 45º. How can you determine this? A simple trick is to stand with your back to the sun and observe your own shadow. If the angle is greater than 45º, you will notice that your shadow is equal to or shorter than your height. If your shadow is longer than you, it indicates that the sun is low in the sky. This rule provides a rough guideline for identifying a good time for sun exposure. There are also mobile applications, such as the one developed by Prof. Michael Hollick, one of the world’s leading experts on vitamin D, called Dminder. You can download the App for Android and for iOS.

2. Diet Rich in Vitamin D

Another way to help maintain vitamin D levels is through diet. While food may not provide a significant amount, you can consume foods rich in this vitamin. Some of the most recommended include fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, egg yolks, and beef liver. Including these foods in your daily diet will help supplement your vitamin D reserves.

3. Vitamin D Supplements

In some cases, sun exposure and diet may not be sufficient to maintain adequate vitamin D levels, especially in individuals with certain medical conditions, older adults, or residents of latitudes with limited sunlight throughout the year. In such cases, the use of supplements may be necessary. At BDS, we personalize each patient's protocol to ensure you are in optimal condition for your intervention, especially when addressing conditions known as cavitations or FDOJ and during zirconia implant treatments.

4. Regular Monitoring of Vitamin D Levels

It is important to regularly measure vitamin D levels in the body (ideally every three months). A study by Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. Ghanaati (with whom Dr. Parra trained personally) along with collaborators such as Dr. Joseph Choukroun (who developed PRF with Dr. Ghanaati) and Dr. Volz (Dr. Parra's mentor) serves as a guide for determining vitamin D supplementation in our patients.

Reference: Ghanaati, Shahram & Choukroun, Joseph & Volz, Ulrich & Hueber, Rebekka & Mourao, Carlos Fernando & Sader, Robert & Kawase-Koga, Yoko & Mazhari, Ramesh & Amrein, Karin & Meybohm, Patrick & Al-Maawi, Sarah. (2020). One hundred years after Vitamin D discovery: Is there clinical evidence for supplementation doses? International Journal of Growth Factors and Stem Cells in Dentistry, 3, 3. https://doi.org/10.4103/GFSC.GFSC_4_20.

5. Special Considerations for Zirconia Implants

Vitamin D is essential in the process known as osseointegration, which is crucial for the success of zirconia implants. Ensuring adequate levels of this vitamin can significantly enhance the integration of the implant with the bone, resulting in improved stability and durability of the implant over time. In addition to this vitamin, it is important to accompany it with what are known as cofactors, among which vitamin K2, magnesium, boron, and vitamin C are particularly notable. As with everything in biology, it is a team effort.