In this episode of the Everyday Medicine Podcast, Dr. Michael Blahut reframes vitamin D not as a simple vitamin deficiency problem, but as a hormonal, genetic, and light-based signaling system deeply tied to our circadian rhythm, immune function, and seasonal biology.
You’ll learn why supplementation alone often falls short, how Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) genes influence how vitamin D actually works in the body, and why sunlight remains the most powerful and biologically complete form of vitamin D signaling.
Dr. Blahut also shares real clinical stories from practice — including cases of vitamin D over-supplementation, hypercalcemia, hormone-related skin reactions, and concerns about poor-quality supplement oils — offering a grounded, functional medicine perspective on how to approach vitamin D safely and intelligently.
This episode is especially relevant during winter months, when illness, fatigue, and immune suppression rise — and when the body may be calling for rest, repair, and realignment rather than more pills.
Show Notes
In this episode, we explore:
* Why vitamin D is not truly a vitamin, but a steroid hormone and light-derived signal
* How vitamin D works in the body — from skin synthesis to gene activation
* The importance of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) genetics and why labs alone don’t tell the full story
* Why people with certain VDR variants may not respond well to supplementation
* A clear comparison between oral vitamin D supplements vs natural sunlight
* The often-forgotten cofactors required for vitamin D activation, including:
* Magnesium
* Vitamin K2
* Healthy fats
* Mitochondrial and circadian health
* Common mistakes with vitamin D supplementation, including:
* Excess dosing and hypercalcemia
* Poor sourcing and inflammatory carrier oils (soy, peanut, seed oils)
* Hormonal and skin reactions in sensitive individuals
* Why winter illness may reflect seasonal immune shifts and detox, not just deficiency
* How aligning with natural light cycles supports healing beyond supplementation
Resources Mentioned
🌞 Everyday Medicine Renew Yourself Retreat (May 2026)Experience sunlight, circadian reset, movement, and nature-based healing closer to the Equator.👉 https://everyday-medicine.com/retreats/
🧬 3×4 Genetics Lifestyle & Vitamin D Gene TestingIncludes Vitamin D receptor genes, metabolism, detox, circadian, and lifestyle pathways.👉 https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_GRmLWl4?storefrontProduct=strprod_7LNg2wx
🏥 Holistic Family Care — Functional & Integrative ConsultationsLearn more about working with Dr. Blahut for personalized care.
https://holisticfamilycarepa.com
Final Thought
Vitamin D isn’t something to “fix” with a pill.
It’s a conversation between your genes, the sun, your nervous system, and the seasons — and when we listen to that conversation, the body often remembers how to heal.
Get full access to Everyday Medicine: Awaken Your Innate Healing Abilities at drmichaelblahut.substack.com/subscribe
