Sunshine in the Snow: The Vital Role of Vitamin D
It’s that time of year when the days get shorter and colder. For some it’s a welcome reprieve from the heat of summer, for others it’s a time of mourning the loss of those magical summer days. No matter which camp you’re in, the reality for all of us in the northern latitudes from October-April is that it’s pretty much impossible to make vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D, which is actually a hormone, plays many important roles in our body. It’s necessary for bone production but also plays a role in immune function, metabolic pathways, the cardiovascular system and the endocrine systems. Additionally, there is evidence vitamin D has an influence on mood, pain, cancer and more! Since we can’t make it during the Minnesota winters, we need to get it through foods or supplements, but it is difficult for most people to get enough through diet alone.
Foods like salmon, beef liver, egg yolks, mushrooms and cheese have some as do fortified foods like milk, OJ, yogurt and cereal. Vitamin D supplements are generally safe and inexpensive, just make sure you trust the brand.
For most people 1,000-4,000IU/day is a good place to start. Make sure you’re getting the vitamin D you need to help your body and mind function optimally all winter long! If you’re interested in learning more about how your vitamin D levels are affecting your health, stop in and talk with Aaron or schedule an exploration call!
Written by Aaron Day, RD
