Do you have a sinking feeling now that the days are getting shorter?
We are now in winter as the clocks have changed.
Do you know anyone who relishes the shorter days? No – nor do I! This is not surprising as we depend on light to help us feel at our best.
If we were bears our metabolism would shut down and and we would survive on little food, and no energy use for the winter. This may be part of our DNA as we often want to sleep longer and stay less mobile when it is darker.
The need for vitamin D
Apart from making us feel more alert when the days are sunny, we need the sun to create vitamin D. And vitamin D is made by our bodies and functions like a hormone.
Low levels of vitamin D can give rise to many different health issues including depression, type 2 diabetes, and loss of bone density. A link has now been noticed with low levels of Vitamin D and severity of Covid infections. Since January 2021 vulnerable people in care homes who have not been outside as much as normal are being given Vitamin D supplements free of charge.
If there was ever a year for taking a Vitamin D supplement this is it.
A Vitamin D test is part of my initial diagnosis with my clients. It can be hugely revealing as there may not be direct symptoms to alert you to the fact that your body is low.
One good habit to adopt in the winter is to get outside for a walk on any sunny day. Preferably in the morning sun.
Vitamin D is found in fatty fish and some dairy products like milk and egg yolk, as well as mushrooms but it can be hard to get enough especially in the winter.
The government recommended dose is 1,000 ius, per day. Personally I feel this is not enough, and that it is better to prescribe according to test results.
To get a test and recommendations for what to do about your results please get in touch.
We are now in winter as the clocks have changed.
Do you know anyone who relishes the shorter days? No – nor do I! This is not surprising as we depend on light to help us feel at our best.
If we were bears our metabolism would shut down and and we would survive on little food, and no energy use for the winter. This may be part of our DNA as we often want to sleep longer and stay less mobile when it is darker.
The need for vitamin D
Apart from making us feel more alert when the days are sunny, we need the sun to create vitamin D. And vitamin D is made by our bodies and functions like a hormone.
Low levels of vitamin D can give rise to many different health issues including depression, type 2 diabetes, and loss of bone density. A link has now been noticed with low levels of Vitamin D and severity of Covid infections. Since January 2021 vulnerable people in care homes who have not been outside as much as normal are being given Vitamin D supplements free of charge.
If there was ever a year for taking a Vitamin D supplement this is it.
A Vitamin D test is part of my initial diagnosis with my clients. It can be hugely revealing as there may not be direct symptoms to alert you to the fact that your body is low.
One good habit to adopt in the winter is to get outside for a walk on any sunny day. Preferably in the morning sun.
Vitamin D is found in fatty fish and some dairy products like milk and egg yolk, as well as mushrooms but it can be hard to get enough especially in the winter.
The government recommended dose is 1,000 ius, per day. Personally I feel this is not enough, and that it is better to prescribe according to test results.
To get a test and recommendations for what to do about your results please get in touch.