Vitamin D – AKA The Sunshine Vitamin
Vitamin D is an extremely important nutrient for the human body; especially because of the area we live in: New England! This is not a vitamin that the human body can create naturally, so we need regular (sensible) sun exposure on large swaths of skin. Typically about 20-30 minutes a few days a week should be sufficient!
The key word here is “sensible”; when seeking sun exposure you should not be burning the skin. Slowly build up your exposure over time, especially if you don’t often find yourself in the sun! Start with 5 minutes and then increase so you don’t shock your system, otherwise you will receive the negative effects of overexposure.
Now, because we live in New England, which is sadly fairly dark and cold about 7-8 months out of the year, regular sun exposure can be tough to come by. Enter supplementation. The average adult without the suggested regular sun exposure should look at consuming between 5,000-10,000IU of Vitamin D to ensure healthy body function.
Vitamin D has been known to improve mood, especially if you find you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (ironically referred to as “SAD”). Which is a condition that plagues people who live in areas that lack abundant sunshine or at least regular exposure to it. It is a form of depression that ebbs and flows with the seasons, most commonly during the fall and winter months. To combat these “winter blues”, increase your intake of Vitamin D! Best is natural sunlight, then we try supplementation, and even a light box (which won’t help your body create Vitamin D but will help even out your circadian rhythm). It’s best to use the light box upon waking in the morning for at least a few minutes, creating an artificial sunrise for yourself.
Benefits Include:
- Maintains the health of bones and teeth.
- Supports the health of the immune system, brain, and nervous system.
- Regulates insulin levels and aid diabetes management.
- Supports lung function and cardiovascular health.
- Influences the expression of genes involved in cancer development.
Symptoms of a Vitamin D Deficiency can include:
- Getting sick or infected more often.
- Fatigue.
- Painful bones and back.
- Depressed mood.
- Impaired wound healing.
- Hair loss.
- Muscle pain.
Take care of yourself this long New England Winter and invest in a trustworthy Vitamin D supplement! Here are a few products we recommend, a supplement and a light box to help beat those winter blues!
https://www.amazon.com/NatureWise-Vitamin-Function-Cold-Pressed-Gluten-Free/dp/B00GB85JR4/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1542724924&sr=1-2&keywords=vitamin%2Bd3&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Verilux-HappyLight-Compact-Personal-Portable/dp/B00K08ZDBI/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542120982&sr=8-6&keywords=vitamin+d+light+box
