THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
Most essential vitamins and minerals that you require for good health come from the food and drinks you consume, as the body does not produce them or produces very little.
Vitamin D does things a little differently.
Vitamin D is produced in your skin in response to exposure to sunlight. That’s why it’s sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin”! But despite its vitamin title, it is a prohormone or precursor of a hormone – a substance that your body converts to a hormone.
Vitamin D is an essential immune system support, helping regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis and maintain bone integrity. In recent times vitamin D has been shown to function as a neurosteroid, playing a critical role in neural health and cognitive function.
Research indicates that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, namely, depression and anxiety. Observational studies show that low levels of vitamin D are seen in depressed people compared to controls.
According to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, consisting of 7,970 U.S. residents aged 15 to 39, showed that people with serum vitamin D ≤ 50 nmol/L are at a significantly higher risk of depression than individuals who have serum levels of vitamin D greater or equal to ≥75 nmol/L.
Small randomised trials suggest that supplementation during winter with vitamin D helps seasonal mood disorders and improves well-being.
Although there is a growing amount of research about the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression, it remains unclear whether vitamin D deficiency may be the result or the cause of depression. Subjects with depression may be more likely to develop low vitamin D levels because of lower outdoor activity or reduced intake. Conversely, the identification of vitamin D receptors in many parts of the brain
strengthens the plausibility of a relationship between vitamin D and depression.
Assessment and appropriate supplementation may be beneficial with vitamin D correlated with depression and other mood disorders.
PEOPLE WHO ARE AT GREATER RISK OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY;
- Those who are obese - Those who wear covering or concealing clothing - Breast-fed babies of vitamin D deficient mothers - Those who take medication that affects vitamin D metabolism - Older people: Your skin's ability to make vitamin D reduces with age - Those who avoid the sun: Due to previous skin cancers, immune suppression, or sensitive skin - Those who have limited sun exposure: Such as night shift workers, office workers, and those who spend a lot of time indoors - Those with magnesium deficiency: Magnesium is required for vitamin D absorption - Those who have a medical condition, disability or disease that affects vitamin D metabolism: Including kidney and liver disease; coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Chrohn’s - 👉🏻Those who have naturally very dark skin: Because the pigment (melanin) in dark skin doesn’t absorb as much UV light
SOURCES OF VITAMIN D
It is synthesised by the action of sunlight on the skin.
Only small amounts of vitamin D can be found in foods, making it difficult to get enough from diet alone. Some foods are fortified, meaning that vitamin D has been added.
Fish liver oils - cod, halibut, herring, tuna, butter, egg yolk, milk, sprouted seeds.
INTERESTING FACT
Vitamin D produced in the skin may last at least twice as long in the blood compared with ingested vitamin D.
As always, a personalised assessment is always best;
Call 0474 744 445 to book or book online; https://www.infinitehealthstudio.com.au/contact