Why We All Need Extra Vitamin D

Did you know that you can only generate Vitamin from sunlight when your shadow is shorter than your actual height?

This means that even on a sunny days, we are unable to make any vitamin D through sun exposure at our line of latitude in the autumn and winter months. The sun is simply too low for our skin to receive the rays needed. If you are not already taking a daily Vitamin D supplement, the official advice in this part of the world is to take one from October to March.

Vitamin D plays many important roles within our body to support our health:

Immunity

You probably have heard that it plays an important role in our immune function, some even go as far to say that coughs and cold season is actually vitamin D deficiency season. I think there may be some truth in this. If you are suffering from regular or recurrent infections, it may be a sign of Vit D deficiency.

Bone Density

Vitamin D is also a key ingredient in maintaining bone density through the way it interacts with calcium. Seeing as our peak bone density is somewhere in our mid-twenties, we really need to be mindful to maintain it through the following decades. Osteoporosis is a hidden condition as it does not cause any symptoms, it’s often only when there is an accident, and a bone breaks unexpectedly, that it is discovered.

In addition to nutrition, weight bearing exercise can make a big difference. This can be as simple as walking to the shops and carrying home your shopping or something more focused such as a tailored yoga practise.

If you’d like a personalised practise, you can work with me in person or online on a one-on-one basis, simply contact me direct to discuss your needs.

Hormones

What was an interesting discovery for me was that vitamin D is an important component of our hormones. Sometimes it is referred to as a pro-hormone, as in a substance that your body converts to a hormone. This means it plays a big role in hormonal balance which in turn affects energy levels, blood sugar balance, sleep cycles and mood to name a few. Low levels can lead to feelings of depression and exhaustion. Vit D also has an impact on oestrogen and so can play a part in regulating our cycles and supporting fertility.

Cancer

There is mixed research on the effects of Vit D and cancer – some suggest it can reduce the risk of developing cancer and some suggest that it can impede the ability of cancer to develop. I hope there is more research in this area. As with all things cancer, the picture is bigger and more complex than this, especially when considering the hundreds of different types of cancer. I don’t think a supplement is a magic bullet but perhaps it can tip the odds slightly more in our favour.

Nerve & Muscle Function

Lastly another important role is in our nerve and muscle function as it plays a role in protein synthesis. Low level of Vit D can lead to feeling of muscles weakness, fatigue, loss of strength and muscle twitching. There is some suggestion that it may also lie behind restless leg syndrome.

So as you can see I am a convert to a regular supplement! In my personal experience a noticeable difference has been in not getting coughs and colds as frequently as previously and feeling less achy.

Of course, there is more to keeping well than one supplement, remembering to keep a balance of activity and rest, a wholesome seasonal diet, getting outdoors every day and having meaningful connections with others are all important parts of the picture too.

And let’s not forget some body work too! If you’d like to book yourself some reflexology you can use my online diary or contact me directly.