Using Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients your body needs!
One of the most talked about vitamins over the last couple years, for good reason, is vitamin D.
Vitamin D plays a role in:
- Bone health
- Nervous system health
- Immune health
- Boosting Mood
- Reducing inflammation
- And much more!
Notably, studies have observed a link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to other problems as well such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and other conditions.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Signs of vitamin D deficiency include: mood changes, bone or joint pain, fatigue, dry skin, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and muscle cramps.
Functions & Intake Requirements
Vitamin D helps the body absorb other nutrients properly and stimulates health in many ways, especially in terms of bones and the nervous system. Vitamin D is often absorbed from the sun. It can become especially important in the winter months.
Depending on how much time you’re spending outdoors, you may want to supplement with 2000 to 5000 IU of vitamin D per day in order to keep the levels in your body sufficient. Keep in mind that the darker your complexion the less vitamin D you will absorb from the sun.
Vitamin D Sources
Foods like fatty fish, tuna, eggs, mushrooms, dairy, and other fortified foods are also rich in vitamin D and should be utilized alongside supplements in order to avoid vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means it gets stored in the body for later use rather than excreted as waste when taken in excess, unlike water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E.
Don’t go overboard with vitamin D intake as too much can also be toxic. See your doctor if you experience symptoms like headaches/dizziness, appetite loss, excess thirst, and nausea while supplementing with vitamin D to get your blood levels checked.
Overall, supplementing with vitamin D is a smart choice to make for most health-conscious individuals!