You’ve probably heard about the importance of Vitamin D, especially for immunity. But did you know that low Vitamin D levels can also mess with your:
- Hormone balance
- Mood and energy
- Bone density
- Blood sugar and insulin
- Inflammation
- Weight loss efforts?
At Antigravity Wellness, we check Vitamin D levels in every woman we work with—because it’s one of the most common deficiencies we see in women over 35, and one of the most easily correctable when done right.
Let’s talk about why it matters, why we prefer Vitamin D3 with K2, and how to take it for maximum benefit.
Why Is Vitamin D So Important—Especially for Women?
Vitamin D is actually a hormone, not just a vitamin. It plays a huge role in:
- Bone building and calcium absorption
- Immune modulation
- Inflammation regulation
- Mental health and mood
- Estrogen metabolism and hormonal balance
- Muscle function and strength
- Insulin sensitivity and metabolic health
A 2020 review in Nutrients found that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased risk of insulin resistance, autoimmune disease, depression, and PMS, especially in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (Pereira-Santos et al., 2020).
We often see low Vitamin D levels contributing to:
- Fatigue and mood dips
- Weight loss resistance
- Joint and muscle pain
- Heavy periods (due to inflammation)
- Sluggish immune function
- Low estrogen symptoms—even when estrogen is technically “normal”
D3 vs. D2: Why We Always Recommend Vitamin D3
There are two main types of Vitamin D in supplements:
- D2 (ergocalciferol) – the plant-based, synthetic version
- D3 (cholecalciferol) – the bioactive, animal-derived form your body naturally produces in response to sunlight
D3 is more potent, more stable, and better absorbed than D2. It also lasts longer in the body.
Studies show that Vitamin D2 is less effective at raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D levels—and many people can’t convert D2 into the usable form efficiently due to genetic polymorphisms (like in CYP2R1 or CYP27B1) or gut/liver dysfunction.
A 2012 study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism confirmed that D3 is superior to D2 at raising serum Vitamin D levels and maintaining sufficiency over time (Tripkovic et al., 2012).
Bottom line: If you’re supplementing, make it Vitamin D3—not D2.
Why You Should Take K2 With Your Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
But Vitamin K2 tells your body where to put it.
Without K2, calcium can build up in the wrong places—like arteries or joints—instead of going to your bones and teeth, where it belongs.
K2 (specifically MK-7) activates proteins like osteocalcin and matrix GLA, which:
- Direct calcium into bone
- Prevent calcium from depositing in soft tissues
- Work synergistically with Vitamin D to protect heart and bone health
A 2015 study in Integrative Medicine found that D3 taken without K2 may increase vascular calcification risk in certain individuals—especially postmenopausal women with poor calcium handling (Sato et al., 2015).
That’s why we recommend Vitamin D3 + K2 as a combo supplement for most of our clients—especially women over 35.
When and How to Take It
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it absorbs best when taken with a meal that contains fat—ideally earlier in the day (morning or lunch).
Quick Tips:
- Take with a meal that includes fat (like avocado, nuts, eggs, olive oil, etc.)
- Morning or mid-day dosing is preferred to avoid interfering with melatonin and sleep
- If you’re taking a multi or other fat-soluble vitamins, space them out or take together depending on dosage
Typical dosing (based on labs and needs):
- Maintenance: 1,000–2,000 IU/day
- Deficient or low levels: 5,000–10,000 IU/day (short-term, under supervision)
- We always check serum 25(OH)D and aim for optimal levels of 50–80 ng/mL
Always work with a provider to find your ideal dose—too much D3 can cause issues with calcium regulation, especially without K2 or magnesium.
Case Study: Meet “Lena”
Name has been changed for privacy
Lena, 44, came to Antigravity Wellness feeling exhausted, moody, and frustrated with her stalled progress. Her sleep was poor, and she had lingering muscle soreness and no motivation to work out—even though she wanted to.
Her initial labs showed:
- Vitamin D: 21 ng/mL (optimal is 50–80)
- Slightly elevated LDL
- Mild insulin resistance
- Low estrogen and progesterone
We started her on:
- 5,000 IU D3 with 180 mcg K2 (MK-7) daily, with lunch
- Magnesium glycinate at bedtime
- A hormone-supportive nutrition plan and movement strategy
By week 6, her energy had improved. By her 3-month follow-up, she reported sleeping better, less soreness, and improved strength in the gym. Her Vitamin D was up to 62, and her mood had evened out.
“I didn’t realize how much Vitamin D could change my day-to-day energy and motivation. It was such a simple fix, but a total game-changer.”
Don’t Let Low Vitamin D Hold You Back
If you’ve been told your labs are “normal” but you’re still feeling tired, inflamed, or off—Vitamin D status could be part of the puzzle. And if you’re taking D2 or skipping K2, you may not be getting the results you want.
At Antigravity Wellness, we use Vitamin D3 strategically—paired with functional labs, nutrition, and hormone support—to help you feel better faster, and stay that way.
Ready to Get Your Energy, Mood, and Strength Back?
🎁 Join our FREE 5-Day Hormone Reset Mini-Course
Learn how micronutrients like Vitamin D impact your hormones, weight, and inflammation—and what to do to rebalance naturally.
Get it here: https://social.antigravitywellness.com/mini-course-freebie
👩⚕️ Want to check your Vitamin D and hormone labs?
Book a Brief Initial Consult with Dr. Nicole Smith, DNP, FNP-C, to get personalized supplement, nutrition, and hormone guidance tailored to your body.
Book a call here: https://l.bttr.to/6lFHL
References:
- Tripkovic, L., et al. (2012). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 97(11), 3430–3435.
- Pereira-Santos, M., et al. (2020). Vitamin D deficiency and metabolic disorders in perimenopausal women: A narrative review. Nutrients, 12(11), 3361.
- Sato, T., et al. (2015). The synergistic effect of vitamin D and vitamin K on bone health and cardiovascular calcification. Integrative Medicine Insights, 10, 1–8.
