Vitamin deficiency is a rather common problem nowadays, but some deficiencies are more serious than others.
For instance, a Vitamin A or B deficiency may result in frail hair and thin nails. But a Vitamin D deficiency can be more risky.
Deficiency of vitamin D in adults both men, women and children has been linked to various types of cancer, diabetes and even heart disease. Our bodies are designed to for self vitamin D production with the helpof sunlight.
However, we still need to eat Vitamin D-rich foods, especially during autumn and winter. If your blood tests have revealed you have a Vitamin D deficiency, here are three natural, efficient and effortless ways to address it!
Why Is Vitamin D So Important?
Before explaining how you can treat your deficiency, it is important to know that Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in the body. It is responsible for balancing the hormonal levels and ensuring the optimal functioning of your bones and brain.
Apart from hormones, brain and bone health, Vitamin D is essential for your central nervous system . This is why it is not uncommon for those who lack Vitamin D to display signs of depression, anxiety and, in severe cases, even bipolarity (also known as bipolar disorder).
Aside from the neurological signs that might indicate a deficiency, there are some physical signs of Vitamin D deficiency that should not be overlooked either. Some of these deficiency symptoms and risky conditions include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Chronic fatigue
- Adrenal fatigue
- Muscle soreness
- Muscle weakness
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Autoimmune diseases
- Even osteoporosis
- Rickets
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Kidney disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Osteomalacia
All of these conditions have one thing in common. They can all be triggered by low levels of Vitamin D.
Why Do So Many People Experience Vitamin D Deficiency And How Can You Overcome It?
Given the fact that our bodies are able to naturally produce it, you might ask yourself… Why is it, then, that Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common ones? Here’s a list on how you can naturally overcome vitamin D deficiency.
Quick Way #1 – Get More Sun Exposure
The reason why this happens is fairly simple. Most people lack Vitamin D because they do not get enough sunlight.
Although 20 minutes of sunlight is all it takes for our bodies to produce enough Vitamin D to last us for a week, not everybody is able to enjoy the sun.
Especially if we fancy loose clothes and we wear sunscreen to shield us from direct sunlight.
Fortunately, all you need to do to reverse this deficiency is to spend more time outdoors. You do not need to sun bathe on a daily basis. However, you need to make sure you take vitamin D daily and you can do that in many other ways.
You just need to spend 20-30 minutes outside and let the sun rays kiss your skin.
Trade the long dresses for sleeveless shirts and your Vitamin D deficiency will become history by the end of the summer!
Quick Way #2 – Eat More Food Source Of Vitamin D
The second best way to overcome your Vitamin D deficiency is by simply eating more foods that are naturally rich in this precious vitamin. Increase your vitamin D intake by eating these foods:
- Wild salmon
- Raw cheese
- Yogurt
- Egg yolks
- Kefir
- Cod liver oil
If you have a strict vegetarian diet and you want to avoid animal products, rest assured – mushrooms can help you with your vitamin D intake!
Quick Way #3 – Take Vitamin D Supplementation
Nonetheless, if you are a vegan then the chances are that you will not be able to overcome your Vitamin D deficiency by eating only mushrooms. This is why you should consider taking a Vitamin D3 supplement.
This is another fast way to boost the Vitamin D levels in your bloodstream, but it is advisable to opt for D3 over D2. D2 is a synthetic, less efficient derivative of the actual vitamin.
Generally speaking, 5,000 IUs should be enough to overcome and prevent future deficiencies, although those who suffer from a severe deficiency can take twice as much.
Your doctor is the only one who can determine just how much Vitamin D your body requires on a daily basis, based on factors such as your age, gender or lifestyle.
In Closing
To sum it all up, these are the top three most efficient ways to naturally overcome you Vitamin D deficiency.
Fortunately, multivitamin supplements have evolved greatly over the past decades, and Vitamin D supplements come with a very affordable price.
Before you rush to placing that supplement in your shopping cart, you should consider buying a Vitamin D test kit first. This will help you determine whether you truly are deficient and if so, just how severe your Vitamin D deficiency is.
Remember the old saying: “Where sun enters, the doctor does not”!
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