Yesterday I read some interesting articles. In summary, it is estimated that up to 60% of adults have insufficient vitamin D during the winter months. As it turns out, the best way to get vitamin D is from ~30 minutes direct sunlight on your skin. However, that's difficult, if not impossible, in winter when days are short, sun is low, and temps are cold.
This is what really caught my attention. Low vitamin D levels can lead to fatigue, depression, aches, and pains. That's pretty much what I'm complaining about. Hmmmmm. Maybe it isn't in my head; I might just be solar powered after all.
This is what really caught my attention. Low vitamin D levels can lead to fatigue, depression, aches, and pains. That's pretty much what I'm complaining about. Hmmmmm. Maybe it isn't in my head; I might just be solar powered after all.
I'm sure the best way to find out if there is a relationship between my Winter Blah symptoms and vitamin D levels would be to see a doctor and have my blood tested. But I figured it would be much easier just to add 1000 IU vitamin D in with my daily supplements and see if it helps. I'm pretty sure it won't hurt.
The experiment has begun. Stay tuned...
I'm a big believer in taking a multi-vitamin every day.
ReplyDeleteIn my last round of blood work, my doc recommended for me to take some vitamin D as a supplement. Don't know if it matters with regard to anything but I'm giving it a shot. Who knows, maybe something will come of it!
ReplyDeleteWoman, you are preaching to the choir! I too think that I'm solar powered and have to get out int he sun. I've never done the supplement for D but I do get out in the sunshine in the winter months.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the blah... it's especially difficult for me with the shirt days. I feel like crawling into bed as soon as the sun is down. I will try the vitamin D as well!
ReplyDeleteI am so lazy when it comes to vitamin supplements, though I know I should be taking them =/
ReplyDeleteCan't hurt to add some Vitamin D! Hope you are feeling more like your chipper self again soon.
ReplyDeleteOkay I am ignorant. What is an acequia path?
ReplyDeleteI probably need to get some vitamins into my body too. Hope the winter blahs will go away soon.
ReplyDeleteYou're singing to the choir...I moved to SoCal because of the sun (so did a few other people apparently)
ReplyDeletei am bad about vitamins... the good thing about this experiment is that vit D isn't bad for you! (like some drug-experiments are) i hope it goes well.
ReplyDeleteWe've got plenty sunshine here in SA but I always take multi vitamins and extra vitamin C. Hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteIt may very well be a vitamin D deficiency that has got you feeling the blahs. I think this is also just an extremely busy time of year with holiday parties, shopping, and for me as a prof. mounds of grading. I just try to get a little bit of extra rest in addition to taking my vitamins.
ReplyDeleteYes, you have a case of the winter blues.
ReplyDeleteMaybe just take this time to read or something. It WILL pass in a short time and the holidays, along with the parties, will be long gone.
You can give me a call to chat any time you want. xoxoxoxo
interesting to find out how the vitamin D will help you ...
ReplyDeleteI take lot's of Calcium and Vitamin D together ... but I'm outside every day in the summer and mostly every day in the winter ... even though I know the sunlight intensity is not high enough for vitamin D creation.
Hope the extra boost of Vitamin D helps!!! :0) I also take a Multivitamin every day! :0)
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law swears by the mega doses of vitamin D. She mentioned something about a study done in climates where there's little sun and test subjects were given high doses of vitamin D to see if it would help combat the winter blues or lack of sunshine. Apparently it does work. I'm not sure how much vitamin D to take, though, to make it worth your while. I hope it works for you!
ReplyDelete(Sorry I've been out of the blogging loop, it's been crazy busy!)
Tried sunshine from the tin? Solarium. It used to help me when I lived in Berlin!
ReplyDeleteI easily fall into the winter blahs myself. Winter is a dreaded time for me. Mainly because of the cold and not really being able to do much outside. Another option I've been researching is the lights that are supposed to simulate sunshine. I haven't bought one to review, but you might look into them yourself.
ReplyDelete