Q: At the end of last winter, in March, I saw my doctor and learned that my vitamin D tested at 17!  I was shocked, as I walk outdoors every day, all year long.  I am a black woman, and I live in South Carolina. 

Without asking anything about my lifestyle, my doc prescribed 50,000 IUs of vitamin D every week for three months.  I told her I’d follow through, but my plan was to instead resume taking my “favorite”(not!) cod-liver oil.  This is something I usually do, but had not done for about a year.

Three months later, after taking CLO daily, followed by a milk chaser ,my vitamin D level was 48.  My doctor was none the wiser. Of course three months later mean that it was now June and I had had more sun exposure during my daily walks.

I was not happy that my doctor didn’t discuss the implications of my low vitamin D level.  I was delighted, though, that my old fashioned remedy worked!  Thanks for your wisdom, Grandma!

A: Old-fashioned cod liver oil is a good source of vitamins D and A.  Grandmothers often recommended it as a tonic during the winter.

Walking outdoors with your skin exposed to the sun is one way to get vitamin D. A person with darker skin needs m0re sun exposure to make enough of the vitamin.

• Article by Joe and Teresa Graedon
• Copyright The Seattle Times