The Importance of Vitamin D
With the holidays around the corner, and winter on its way, I think this is a good time to talk about the importance of making sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D. Most people know we get Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, but now more than ever we spend less time outdoors. Also, Vitamin D is only found in very small amounts in food, even the fortified varieties, and you would have to drink 10 glasses of milk and 10 ounces of salmon to meet your daily requirement. Not to mention, we don’t really know how well our bodies are able to absorb these synthetic versions. Because of these factors, Vitamin D deficiency has become all too common these days. Let’s make sure you aren’t someone who suffers unknowingly!
Every tissue in our brain, muscles, heart and immune system has Vitamin D receptors, therefore it is absolutely essential for every process in the body. Vitamin D is the only nutrient that also acts as a hormone. It keeps our bones strong by regulating the absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus, supports our immune system, and facilitates the release of important mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. In fact, there is increased research being done to investigate the connection between Vitamin D deficiency and mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and even autism.
Ok, now that I’ve got your attention, you might be asking what should I do about this? First, it is important to have your doctor test your Vitamin D levels. He or she may recommend a prescription level supplement based on your need. If not, we carry Nordic Naturals because we trust the quality and source of their ingredients with utmost confidence. Second, it can never hurt to increase consumption of whole food sources of absorbable Vitamin D such as wild salmon, grass-fed dairy products, and eggs (yes, YOLK INCLUDED!) And lastly, you’ll be doing yourself a HUGE service if you can manage to get outside more! Even 5 minutes of sunlight can help, the earlier in the day, the better, so they say. But anything is better than nothing. A 5-minute break from sitting at your desk, to walk outside and get some blood flowing would do everyone a world of good.
Oh, and final shameless plug…Nordic Naturals Vitamin D also happens to be our supplement of the month for December, so go ahead and pick up some today. It just might help make your Holiday mood brighter!
