Let\’s talk the big D: Vitamin D!

If you\’ve ever been to your primary care practitioner (physician/NP/PA), more than likely, you\’ve been told you have a vitamin D deficiency. It\’s common, normal, and completely correctable!

According to the NIH, 41.6% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Worldwide: the number climbs even higher.

What\’s the correlation? Lack of sunshine, processed and nutrient lacking food, and a sedentary lifestyle without time spent in nature. The truth: it\’s a revolving systemic problem; especially in America as we spend more time on screens and less time outside.

Why is this an issue for health? Most patients are unaware of what role vitamins and minerals play in long term determinants of health (future consequences for aging).

Without diving deep into every vitamin and mineral, we can zero in on what a vitamin D deficiency can look like and how we can fix it *naturally*.

The result of a deficiency: a higher prevalance of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, less synthesizing of calcium. Calcium is a major powerhouse in the energy system of our body cells (the tissues that fuel our energy). Calcium powers our cells that fuels the blood we produce, the heart that pumps it, and the brain tissue that consumes it. Without vitamin D and calcium, we are at greater risk of severe mental health issues among others. Additionally, we run the risk of future bone loss.

The simple answer? SUNSHINE! Bonus points for consuming extra vitamin D rich sources like fatty fish, fortified cereals, dairy products, and oranges. For vegetarians/vegans, this may look like supplements in addition to dietary changes. Below are simple ways to get more sunshine:

Sit in the backyard/patio.
Build that apt patio haven you\’ve always wanted; string lights, container garden, bistro table…
Talk walks during your lunch hour.
SAHM? Build a garden if you have space.
Run/bike your kids to school! Double BOB jogger stroller for the win.
In an area where sunshine lacks? Invest in some red light therapy. See my link below on an affordable starter option I personally use.

Walking/biking/hiking/running in nature has endless benefits. While outdoors, we are naturally pulled towards the sun. If conditions are ideal, our breathing becomes deeper; triggering greater oxygen consumption triggering a cascade of cellular benefits. There are millions of benefits to existing in nature. My favorite as an ADHD mama? The dopamine rush!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF2X3CXY?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=thespirit09d5-20&linkId=6843aa293c312fbbe6d0c32f6d47c941&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Forrest KY, Stuhldreher WL. Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults. Nutr Res. 2011 Jan;31(1):48-54. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2010.12.001. PMID: 21310306

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