As days get darker, here's how to keep your vitamin D up
Presenter, The Weather Network
Thursday, November 16, 2017, 2:04 PM - As the days grow darker our bodies change with the decreased sunlight.
A common issue among Canadians is the lack of Vitamin D.
"Vitamin D deficiency has been coming back low in so many of my patients lately," says Naturopath Doctor Justin Gallant. "Getting your vitamin D tested before winter comes is a great idea because it’s only going to go downhill until summertime."
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Essentially our bodies absorb sunlight through our skin. By doing so our body is able to create its own vitamin D supply. As we lose daylight we also lose the amount of time we are able to create this essential vitamin.
Here are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:
- Fatigue
- General poor sense of well-being
- Achy bones and joints
- Muscle cramps, weakness or discomfort
- Low mood, depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D)
- Getting sick all of the time (weakened immune system)
So what is the best way to increase these levels ?
"Clinically I find patients can be on a generic-brand vitamin D tablet for years and it won’t budge their vitamin D levels, but as soon as I switch them to D3 liquid from a good quality brand, vitamin D levels start to increase," says Gallant.
The liquid form goes right into the bloodstream making it a better option over pills that need to be digested.
