The Importance of Vitamin D

"Keep your face always towards the sunshine  - and the shadows will fall behind you."

-Walt Whitman-

One of the main reasons that the flu season comes up during the winter is because we are not getting enough sunshine and the vitamin D that comes with it. This directly affects our immune system.

Vitamin D is necessary for optimal health, but there are very few food sources for this vital nutrient; so we evolved to absorb and use the suns UVB rays to produce it. 
Unfortunately, modern society has us terrified of the sun. Most people spend all day inside with artificial light, and then when we do get outside, we layer on clothes or sunscreen to "protect" ourselves from the sun. 
Most of us know that vitamin D plays a role in keeping our bones and immune system healthy. We also now know that it plays a role in reducing the risk of things like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and depression (seasonal depression in particular). Humans have become significantly deficient in this nutrient, (which is actually a hormone) because we try to obtain it all from food and supplement sources. 

The fact is, unless you are eating a ton of wild caught salmon or knocking back a couple of tablespoons of cod liver oil every day (which I wouldn't recommend in this dose...), you are probably deficient in vitamin D. Are you for sure deficient? The only way to know for sure if to get your blood vitamin D levels tested. Personally, I am opting to save a buck, assume that I am deficient, and take advantage of proper supplements and sun - whenever possible. The trick is to be smart about your sun exposure and supplementation. 
Humans are meant to get sunlight, not to get sunburned. Gradually increase your exposure, and cover up if you feel like you are getting too much sun. Optimizing your diet will in turn, optimize your skin condition. Our sun protection is meant to work from the inside, out. For more information on this topic, check this post from Mark Sisson. He gives great details on how your body can work to naturally protect you from sunburns. 

A few tips for getting vitamin D:

* Supplementation - make sure you are taking D3, not D2, and research the source of your supplements! (Taking it along with fat will help your body put it to good use; so take it with fish oil and/or meals.)

* Go for wild caught salmon, not farm raised. If buying canned, buy it with bones in it.

* Weather permitting, spend at least 10 minutes a day outdoors, letting the sun hit your skin. 

* Read/research your info, question everything and never stop learning!

~Best of health! Lindsay~

•Note:  The information on this blog is for informational use only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical conditions or to take the place of your physician. Always consult the appropriate health care professional when you have health problems that you feel might require professional attention, or when adding supplementations, while taking existing prescriptions. 

References:

http://robbwolf.com/2011/09/03/let-a-little-sunshine-in/

http://www.wellnessandprevention.com/index.cfm/2011/7/14/Sun-Exposure-Cancer-Preventing-or-Cancer-Causing

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/8-natural-ways-to-prevent-a-sunburn-and-sunscreens-not-one-of-them/#axzz1wRgvedFL

http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics