As winter drags on with short days and gloomy weather, it's not just the cold weather that can get us feeling a little down. Our bodies rely on sunlight to produce Vitamin D, a crucial nutrient that plays a vital role in our health and mental wellbeing. Without sufficient exposure to sunlight, particularly for those of us who are indoors all day and in colder climates, our Vitamin D levels often plummet the longer winter draws out, which can lead to a range of physical and mental health challenges.
Why do Vitamin D Levels Drop in the Winter?
The primary source of vitamin D for humans is sunlight. When ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun hits our skin, it triggers the production of Vitamin D. However, in the winter, the sun's angle is low, which means that the UVB rays have to pass through more of the Earth's atmosphere before they reach us. This results in less UVB radiation reaching our skin, which leads to a decrease in Vitamin D production.
Furthermore, people who live in colder climates are generally more likely to spend more time indoors during the winter months. While artificial light can provide some of the visible light spectrum that our bodies need, it does not contain enough UVB radiation to trigger Vitamin D production. Even people who spend time near windows or in well-lit rooms are almost certainly not getting enough Vitamin D.
The Impact of Low Vitamin D Levels
Vitamin D is essential for many bodily functions, including bone health, immune function, and cell growth. It also plays a vital role in regulating mood and energy levels. When Vitamin D levels drop, a range of health issues can occur, including:
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Weakened Immune System:
Vitamin D helps to support the immune system, so when levels are low, the body may be more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
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Bone Health Issues:
Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus, which are vital for bone health. Low Vitamin D levels are associated with weakened bones, which can increase the risk of accidents and bone health challenges.
- Mood Issues:
There is a significant link between vitamin D deficiency and “the blues”. Studies have found that people with low vitamin D levels are more likely to experience symptoms of the blues. -
Hormonal Imbalances:
Vitamin D plays a role in the regulation of hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Low vitamin D levels can lead to imbalances in these hormones, which can cause a range of health issues.
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Decreased Energy:
Vitamin D is crucial for energy production, and low levels can lead to a lack of energy and lethargy. Low D levels can also negatively impact libido and drive.
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Impaired Cognitive Function:
Vitamin D plays a role in brain function, and low levels have been linked to impaired cognitive function and an increased risk of brain health challenges.
How to Increase Vitamin D Levels
Vitamin D3 is the most bioavailable form of Vitamin D, meaning it is most easily absorbed and utilized by the body. It is available in supplement form and can be taken orally. The recommended daily dose of Vitamin D3 varies depending on age and other factors, so it is best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation.
Supplementing with Vitamin D3 can be an effective solution to combat the effects of insufficient Vitamin D levels – especially during the winter months. When it comes to choosing a Vitamin D3 supplement, it's extremely important to select one that is pure, of high quality, and bioavailable to the body.
Pure TheraPro’s Vegan Vitamin D3+K2 Full Spectrum is an excellent option for anyone looking to support healthier Vitamin D levels.
Here are a few reasons why:
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It's Vegan Pureshine™:
Many Vitamin D3 supplements on the market are derived from sheep's wool grease or old, oxidized cod livers, making them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans. Our vegan Pureshine solution, on the other hand, is sourced from clean, wild Canadian lichen, making it a vegetarian-friendly option.
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It's Mycellized:
Our supplement is “mycellized”, which means that the Vitamin D3 is encapsulated in very tiny droplets fo oil that are easy for the body to absorb. This makes it much more bioavailable and effective than other forms of Vitamin D3.
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It Contains Vitamin K2:
Vitamin K2 is essential for Calcium balance and bone strength. Vitamin K2 works synergistically with Vitamin D3 to support bone health and prevent Calcium from being deposited into soft tissue, thereby supporting cardiovascular system health as well.
- It's Pharmaceutical-Grade:
We use only the highest quality ingredients in our Vitamin D3 supplement and ensure that it is third-party tested to guarantee potency and purity.
Supplementing with Vitamin D3 can be an effective solution to combat the effects of low Vitamin D levels during the winter months. When it comes to choosing a Vitamin D3 supplement, we hope this information helps you make an educated decision on which Vitamin D3 to purchase for you and your family.
- Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Willett, W. C., et al. (2009). Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA, 301(2), 230-238.
- Ginde, A. A., Liu, M. C., Camargo, C. A. Jr. (2009). Demographic differences and trends of vitamin D insufficiency in the US population, 1988-2004. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(6), 626-632.
- Jorde, R., Sneve, M., Figenschau, Y., Svartberg, J., Waterloo, K. (2008). Effects of vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of depression in overweight and obese subjects: randomized double blind trial. Journal of Internal Medicine, 264(6), 599-609.
- Knapen, M. H., Schurgers, L. J., Vermeer, C. (2013). Vitamin K2 supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International, 24(7), 2499-2507.
- Lawson, D. E., Weaver, C. M. (2015). The relationship between vitamin D and body weight in adults. Nutrients, 7(11), 968-979.