Are you feeling the winter blues? It could be that your fatigue and sense of the blahs is due to low Vitamin D. In the winter months it’s hard to get enough sunshine for our bodies to naturally produce the vitamin D we need. So it makes sense to take a supplement. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in the United States and many people find supplementation helpful.
What does Vitamin D Do?
Vitamin D is a fat soluable vitamin that is an essential part of bone and teeth health, and immune function.
Who’s at Risk For Vitamin D Deficiency?
People who don’t get outside much, have darker skin, cover most of their skin, or live in the far north are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient. Older people, folks with delicate skin, and people who are obese are also more likely to be deficient. If you’re in one of these categories, you may want to consider taking a Vitamin D supplement.
What are the Symptoms of Low Vitamin D?
Some people may not have any symptoms at all. The most common signs are tiredness and aches and pains. Some people may feel a bit blue or get more colds than usual.
What Can I do?
In addition to spending time in the sunshine, you can get some Vitamin D from your food. Sardines, egg yolks, shrimp, and salmon are all good food sources. Some common food products are fortified with Vitamin D as well, such as milk, orange juice, yoghurt, and some cereals. If you want to take a supplement, 600IU per day is a good place to start for adults under 70. But if you’re in one of those high risk categories, or you know your levels are low, you can take 2000IU or more of Vitamin D.
