Are you feeling the Winter Blues?
As the days are getting shorter, temperatures are continuously falling and the snow clouds are rolling in are you noticing that your mood is being affected? This could be caused by a vitamin D deficiency!
Researchers are now discovering that vitamin D may play an important role in mental health and depression. Evidence has shown a link between low levels of vitamin D in the blood and depression, however, more research is needed in this area to conclusively determine the relationship.
Vitamin D, sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” is a fat soluble vitamin that begins being produced in the skin in response to direct sun exposure. With short winter days and cloud coverage it’s no wonder we aren’t producing adequate amounts in our body. The daily recommended adult dose is 1000IU and higher for those over the age of 60.
There are three ways to get your daily required amount of vitamin D: food sources, direct sun exposure to bare skin and supplementing. As a fat soluble vitamin, it is naturally found in the fat and oils of fish, seafood, to a lesser extent in meat, and eggs. Although many foods are fortified with vitamin D it can be difficult to obtain the required amount of vitamin D daily from food alone. In addition, many lifestyle and environmental factors can affect your ability to get sufficient amounts of this vitamin through the sun (ie. pollution, spending more time indoors, use of sunscreen, and shorter days in the winter). These factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in an increasing number of people. Since food and sun exposure aren’t always enough, supplementing can help ensure you’re getting what you need.
Why supplement? There are many more benefits to vitamin D than originally thought:
Bone Health- vitamin D is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous into the bones which is essential to keep bones and teeth healthy, and prevent osteoporosis later in life.
Strong Immune System- vitamin D helps reduce the likelihood of developing the flu and preventing disease.
Heart Disease- vitamin D can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in North America.
Multiple Sclerosis- a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that vitamin D supplementation helped reduce the risk of developing MS.
The benefits to vitamin D are clear and continue to be researched. Supplementation and dosing should be discussed with your health care provider or naturopathic doctor to ensure you are getting what you need daily.
