Hello readers,
Ever lost in the thoughts thinking if you could find that ‘one’ source which can take all your health problems away??!! Well, one “wonder pill” that is capable of doing that is naturally available sunlight which is an abundant source of Vitamin D. Though, some of us might complain the risk of premature ageing and skin cancer that comes with the exposure to sunlight, but if taken adequately, Vit D can solve many of your physical/mental problems, yeah! right…mental too as Vit D deficiency has been linked to causing depression too. So, in today’s health section, we will discuss all about Vitamin D, a deficiency most common these days, yet little we know about it!
What is Vitamin D?
One vitamin that our body is able to make when exposed to the sun, and hence, for the right reasons, is also known as ‘sunshine’ vitamin. Since, its a fat soluble vitamin, it dissolves in fat/oil in the body and can be stored for a long period of time.
There are two main forms of Vitamin D:
Why does our body need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D helps our body absorb calcium and thereby, maintaining strong bones and teeth. So even if you’re taking in enough calcium, it could be going to waste if you’re deficient in vitamin D.
Some researches have also been linked to the benefits of Vitamin D in fighting infections, reducing heart diseases. preventing diabetes and some type of cancers, however, still more research is going on to fully understand the role of Vitamin D in these conditions.
Benefits of Vitamin D
- Improves Bone Health
- Boosts immunity
- Improves Muscle Strength
- Reduces the risk of heart diseases
- Brain development
Sources of Vitamin D
- Sunshine
Sunshine is the best and natural source for Vitamin D. Few things to keep in mind:- You need to expose a large part of your body, just face and hands will produce much less Vitamin D.
- Staying behind glass, or using a sunscreen will produce very less Vitamin D or maybe none at all.
- Sunshine is necessary but sunburns can cause a risk of premature ageing and skin cancer so do not think of not using a sunscreen at all. You can consider going in the sun without sunscreen for few minutes (depending on the sensitivity of your body) and then apply sunscreen before the body starts burning. Since, not many people have access to sun all year around, we need to fulfill our D needs with food and supplements.
[Read: How to choose your sunscreen]
- Food Sources
- Natural sources include egg yolks, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna. Some rare mushrooms also contain Vitamin D.
- Dairy products, cereals and infant formulas are often fortified with Vitamin D.
- One really good source of Vitamin D is cod fish liver oil, containing about twice the daily requirement in a single spoon.
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Supplements
Food doesn’t provide enough Vitamin D for most adults, and due to the busy lifestyle and maybe the weather conditions, it’s sometimes difficult to get enough sun exposure. That leaves supplements. Vitamin D supplements are one of the most common recommendations precisely because Vitamin D is so important and so hard to get.
You must speak to your health care professional or dietitian to get your levels checked and the recommended dosage.
Go outside and get some sunshine!
Love,
V|XOXO
Ah yeah, my parents always told me to go outdoors for at least 15 minutes every day for the daily Vitamin D intake from the sun – which is why I’m always outside to grab lunch no matter how busy work is! Thanks for sharing 🙂
That’s really cool. Will try!
I’ll keep this in mind. I do try to get enough Vitamin D. I try to get out and walk during the day.
This is really interesting to read, I have to admit I know I am low in Vitamin D I have to take supplements every day for it, but I didn’t actually know much about the ins and outs of it.
I have been taking a Vitamin D supplement this winter as the weather has been cold this year. So I have been going to the gym more so that means no sun for me.
Living here in the PNW I know a lot of people who take Vitamin D
I found out my vitamin D was low recently. I had no idea the impact low vitamin D can have on a person. I definitely need to be in the sun more often.
I have never thought that vitamin D has a ton of benefits. These are all excellent tips and suggestions. I am now loving vitamin D more.
Even though I live in the sunshine state, I don’t go outdoors as much as I should. I take a Vitamin D supplement.
Vitamin D has very many properties and very often is underestimated compared to C, but it’s wrong!
There are a lot of benefits of Vitamin D. If you’re going to sunbathe, just make sure to do it early in the morning to avoid sunburns.
before i moved to the uk my usual source of vitamin D was the sun… not much sun in London ahah! great to know some alternatives and all the health benefits!
Sometimes I like to go out for a “Vitamin D Walk.” It helps me get a very important vitamin while usually letting me cool off from something annoying me at work. 🙂
I had no idea about the foods that contain Vitamin D! I’m glad to read that I eat most of those pretty regularly 🙂 I live in Wisconsin, so we don’t see a lot of sunshine in the Wintertime
I took a vitamin D supplement for a while, and I definitely noticed the difference. I guess I hadn’t been in the sun enough, and my body was feeling it. I have to remember that I can get it from some foods, too.
This is really good information! We live in the PNW where there isn’t much sun except during the core summer months so many people deal with seasonal depression and other health issues. It is important for us to be sure we are getting enough Vit D for sure!
I know that Vitamin D can be so good for energy for sure. It’s good to know other sources of it for Vegans and Vegetarians.