If you are looking for something that you can do to seriously improve and maintain your health, especially during the pandemic, having sufficient vitamin D is key. Vitamin D is an amazing vitamin and a hormone that can play a key role in immune and other system functioning.
The increased amount of time that many of us have spent inside due to the pandemic has resulted in less sun exposure, which is a key source of vitamin D. During the winter months, when there is less sunlight hours and many tend to be inside even more, is also a time when the body gets less vitamin D. Fortunately there are things we can do to help maintain healthy vitamin D levels. The ideal way to get more vitamin D is still by getting outside and taking in some sun. During winter, the warmest part of the day is obviously preferred (a reminder to social distance and wear your mask when outside of home). Additionally here are three ways to help get more Vitamin D:
1.Eat Vitamin D Rich Foods.
While there aren’t tons of foods that are rich in vitamin D, some foods that contain it are: mushrooms, rainbow trout, salmon, eggs and unsweetened almond milk (click here for more foods). Always choose organic and wild when possible.
2.Spend time by windows when and where you can access the most sunlight.
When inside, try to spend most of your time in the sunniest part of where you live, or rotate activities so you spend time in whichever room has the strongest amount of sunlight at a particular time of day. Consider window treatments that allow you to get maximum sun exposure, such as curtains that pull all the way back or shades that can be pulled down from the top.
3. Supplement.
Good old cod liver oil can be a great source of vitamin D. My favorite vitamin D supplement is one that helped me to overcome various illnesses that I encountered after having my son. I noticed that after taking this particular vitamin D, my immune system begin to act right again, lol. This supplement contains a good ratio of vitamin K2, which work synergistically (If you are interested in ordering, click here). Some research cites that this dynamic duo have “potential contribution to reducing Covid-19 mortality rate” (International Journal of Infectious Disease, October 2020).
Individual vitamins D needs can vary based on different factors, such as age, race, and season. Though it is standard for most lab work, make certain that your vitamin D levels are tested in your next visit.
Be well and take good care.
Love,
Dr. Danett
