Add Vitamin D to your nutritional regimen to feel great year round
BY JESSICA EVANS
Have the winter blues? Soak up the Vitamin D! A comprehensive medical review of over 100 published studies and articles shows that Vitamin D could benefit those affected by seasonal affective disorder.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that affects people in fall and winter. Symptoms include feeling sad or anxious, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability along with feelings of guilt and hopelessness. It affects about ten percent of the population.
While Vitamin D deficiency has been previously linked to increased risk of asthma, cancer, chronic pain, and other conditions, this international study led by researchers from the University of Georgia associates low vitamin D levels with a greater risk of seasonal affective disorder as well.
The research team was led by Alan Stewart of the College of Education at the University of Georgia. They partnered with the University of Pittsburgh and the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.
Stewart and Michael Kimlin from QUT's School of Public Health and Social Work conducted the study's review and found a relationship between vitamin D and seasonal depression. They published their findings in the journal Medical Hypotheses.
Soak up the Vitamin D
Natural sources of vitamin D include sunlight as well as certain foods: yogurt, eggs, fish, cheese, fortified milk, and mushrooms. Many athletes, however, avoid dairy products. To be sure you are getting adequate levels of vitamin D for performance and health, supplement your diet with Premium Insurance Caps as well as a vitamin D specific supplement.
Every 7-capsule dose of Premium Insurance Caps supplies 500IU of vitamin D3 (the preferred form). Supplementing with additional amounts is easy as vitamin D3 supplements are readily available and relatively inexpensive. There aren't a lot of food sources that contain appreciable amounts of vitamin D, which makes supplementation necessary, especially in areas of the country where available sunlight is minimal.
The best way to know how much vitamin D you need is via a 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test, also called a 25(OH) D test. Taking more vitamin D should improve your mood, your health, and turn this season into an enjoyable winter wonderland and you'll be dashing through the snow in no time. Hammer on!
