Vitamin DShorter Days = Less Vitamins

For those who live in three or four season climates, you may have been aching for the cool breezes of autumn. Along with those cooler breezes,  comes the hardship of finding fresh and local organic food and adequate sunshine. How can this affect you, and what can you do to avoid the seasonal blues and other health issues associated with the shorter days? You may not realize how important vitamin D is to your overall health.

Seasonal Blues or Vitamin Loss?

The cold weather and lack of sunlight not only hinders a year round harvest, but also your ability to soak in crucial vitamins. Your wellness is affected by your ability to maintain balance inside and out. Seasonal blues and Season Affective Disorder (SAD) are both linked to diminished sunlight during the colder seasons.  Those who live closer to the Equator are less likely to have issues with SAD. There are other factors affecting your vitamin intake during these seasons, lack of readily available sources.

Vitamin D

Sunlight is truly the best source for vitamin D, or at least in helping your body to produce it. To that end, many people seek out supplements that provide vitamin D. Supplemental vitamin D is not always easy for your body to assimilate. Make sure you are taking a supplement properly or your body may not be absorbing what you need. Another point to consider is that you can overdo it with supplements and end up taking too much – this can be harmful too. Vitamin D helps you to absorb calcium. This is essential for strong bones!  Too much can increase your calcium absorption and cause kidney problems. But it isn’t easy to overdo vitamin D unless you are overdoing supplements.

Your Source Beyond Sunshine

There are other sources of vitamin D but nothing compares to good ‘ol sunshine! But, as already stated, this isn’t always available. Some of the other sources are:

  • Fatty fish: Salmon, Mackerel, etc. (great source of vit. D)
  • Lean meats (small amounts)
  • Nuts
  • Legumes

In order to properly digest vitamin D and help your body absorb it, you need to consume healthy fats. Vitamin D is considered a fat soluble vitamin. For another source of vitamin D, keep in mind food that has been fortified with vitamin D. Fortified sources can be:

  • Orange juice
  • Milk (even nondairy sources can be fortified)
  • Cheeses (including many soy products)

The healthier you are the easier your body will make it through lean times. Keeping your diet as varied as possible will help you build a strong immune system. By staying mindful during the colder months, you will ensure your immune system stays strong and balanced.

Applications & Resources

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