It’s Winter! Or close enough in the Midwest. This crucial vitamin gets a LOT of attention and it is certainly well-deserved. Vitamin D actually acts as a hormone in the body, entering every cell and producing a wide array of effects. Vitamin D is a very important regulator of the immune system and may even be involved in helping to prevent autoimmune disorders. Vitamin D also helps your body absorb calcium, which is vital for bone health. Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating mood, which is why it has been implicated as part of the cause of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Recent research also suggests that vitamin D can help improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics.
Given how important Vitamin D is and the impending winter, now is the perfect time to figure out if you are getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in few foods - liver, certain mushrooms, oily fish, egg yolks, red meat as well as fortified juices, milk and cereal. During the winter months, it can be hard to get enough Vitamin D from food alone.
How much vitamin D is enough? That depends on if you are deficient or not, your body size, skin color and where you live in the country. Make sure to get your vitamin D levels checked before supplementing and work with a holistic healthcare provider to find a high quality supplement of D3. D3 is the active form of vitamin D and is generally considered superior to supplementing with D2. Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because the body can synthesize its own Vitamin D from sunlight! However, this process depends on season, location and skin color.
If you have more questions about vitamin D or would like to work with me on your health journey, feel free to reach out. I have convenient telemedicine visits available! I also offer complimentary 15-minute introduction calls to answer any questions you have.
