Ask Dr. Mike: Vitamin D3 vs. D2, Protein & Diabetes

In this segment of "Ask Dr. Mike," you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by YOU! This week on Healthy Talk:

1. What is the difference between Vitamin D3 and Vitamin D2?

Vitamin D refers to a group of fat-soluble secosteroids that help enhance your intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, zinc, and iron. Vitamin D supplements come in two different forms, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is the vegetarian form and vitamin D3 takes after the form that your body already produces, as well as from other animal sources.

2. How much of a dose of Vitamin D3 should I be taking?

Since your body differs from your family, friends and strangers, this answer will vary. It also depends on your vitamin D3 blood level. This will help better determine how much vitamin D3 you should be consuming. Typically, an optimal level is around 50-80 which breaks down to 2,000 units of vitamin D3 a day.

3. How much protein should I be eating?

This answer can also vary depending on what you are currently going through and what you want to accomplish.

Protein is essential nutrient you need in your meals to help repair, develop and grow body and muscle tissue. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is recommended that 35 percent of your daily calories come from protein. Women who are between the ages of 19-70 need around 46 grams of protein each day, and men between the ages of 19-70 need roughly 56 grams.

However, if you have a chronic illness, are a body builder, suffer from heart disease, metabolic disorders or have cancer, you might want to up your protein intake. Also, make sure that the types of protein you are eating are wholesome, such as fish and white meat, and if you are consuming red meat make sure it is organic, grass-fed and free of antibiotics and hormones.

4. What is the best supplement for a diabetic?

If you are diabetic, there are four important things you must be actively taking care of: reducing oxidative stress, reducing blood sugar, improving how insulin is working, and preventing Glycation reactions. The most important is improving how insulin is working in your body. One of Dr. Mike's favorite supplements for that is R-Lipoic Acid.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him so he can help give you support and helpful advice.