Winter Blues? Check your Vitamin D Levels
Got a case of the winter blues? If you experience fatigue, bone and joint pain, and changes in mood specifically in the colder winter months, you might be experiencing a lack of vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a nutrient that plays a crucial role in keeping your bones healthy and strong. It also plays a large part in your body’s immune and neuromuscular health. Sometimes called “the sunshine vitamin,” the main way to absorb vitamin D is through direct sunlight on the skin. However, relying on sun exposure alone as your source of vitamin D isn’t always successful and it can be harmful to your skin, even during the winter months.
What does it mean if my vitamin D levels are low?
Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide issue year-round. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults have low levels of vitamin D. There are a few ways your body absorbs vitamin D; sunlight, food, and supplements. With less access to sunlight in the winter, dietary forms of vitamin D are extra important to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D.
Most people cannot rely solely on sunlight to provide them with optimal vitamin D levels, even in the summer. Skin tone, age, geographic location, UV levels, and clothing all can impact our exposure to sunlight and our ability to convert it into a vitamin. Insufficient levels of vitamin D can cause an individual to struggle with fatigue, depressive symptoms, and bone issues.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include:
- Depression or feeling low
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Frequent illness
- Poor sleep
- Bone pain or achiness
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your primary care doctor. Your doctor may recommend taking a vitamin D supplement.
How to get more vitamin D?
Other than direct sunlight, vitamin D can be absorbed through foods and supplements. Speak with your primary care provider about an option that is best for you.
CMC Clinical Nutrition recommends the following foods to boost vitamin D absorption:
- Cod liver oil
- Fortified milk
- Salmon
- Caviar
- Sardines
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Tuna
Maintain Healthy Levels Year-Round
There is no reason to suffer through the winter blues because of low vitamin D. CMC Primary Care wants you to be the healthiest and happiest version of yourself all year long. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, call us today! Sun, or no sun, we want you to feel bright and radiant through every season.
To learn more about essential vitamins and how to get them, click here.
