This Florida girl needs a little sunshine! The shorter days are getting to me. And it seems like I’m not the only one. Status updates on facebook are full of words like ‘tired’, ‘worn out’, ‘sick’.
The truth is our bodies feel it when the sun doesn’t shine. Without the help of UVA and UVB rays we can’t produce enough Vitamin D3. In fact, our vitamin D levels can actually drop by 50% in the winter.
So what’s the problem with that? Well, for starters, your immune system may not be up to its full potential, leaving you more susceptible to certain health concerns. Here’s why. Vitamin D helps in:
- The prevention of chronic diseases such as many forms of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension.
- The protection and lubrication of your bones, teeth and hair.
- The regulation of cellular growth and healthy cell activity
- Overall reduction of the inflammatory response, a condition known to cause many chronic diseases, from cancer to diabetes to obesity.
- Protection against adult osteoporosis
- Reduction in the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women
- Significant reduction in the occurrence of prostate cancer in African-American men
So here’s the good news. You can do something about it. You can eat foods with a large amount of Vitamin D. Foods like:
- Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon
- Wild Caught Herring
- Sardines (great source for Vitamin B12, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, protein and selenium)
- Catfish
- Wild Caught Tuna fish
- Cod Liver Oil
- Local, Free Range Eggs
If you are a vegetarian, then the best plan of action is a supplement.
Many supplements are synthetic, which you should avoid at all costs! Also, vitamin D in excessive doses can lead to other health concerns. In the landmark study that Shaklee produced, it showed that it’s better to not take any supplements vs. taking synthetic ones. You can read more about synthetic supplements in my previous blog: 3 Types of Supplements.
It’s easy to enjoy being active outdoors most of the year, but when this season hits, we insure our immune system by taking Shaklee’s Vitamin D3!
Stay healthy this winter season!!
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