Now that you’ve gone outside, let’s make sure you’re getting some of that free Vitamin D (which, apparently, isn’t actually a vitamin). You may be thinking back to milk commercials and saying to yourself, “I get that with my cereal.”
According to the drugs.com website, “Only 10% of the vitamin D our body needs is obtained from food. The rest is made by our bodies when our skin is exposed to sunlight.” Yes, folks, that means 90% is needed from the sun, so don’t bathe in sunscreen just yet.
Many of us have a tendency to tune out messages even when we know they’re good for us simply because we’ve heard them a lot. We understand that we need nutrients but may not follow through with doing the right things for ourselves because we don’t understand the seriousness of not paying attention. Instead of listing benefits, I’m going to list some of the conditions that can develop from not having enough.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to:
- Bone and muscle pain
- Increased risk of bone softening or fractures
- Increase in infections and illness
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Lower back pain
- Hair loss
You have an increased risk of having this deficiency if you have darker skin, are older, or if you stay indoors.
What Are Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms? | Dr. Josh Axe
This is one nutrient that our bodies produce by getting Vitamin D from the sun. We might as well get sunlight when we’re out for our walks. (Look at us being healthy and productive.)
Resources:
“14 Signs Of Vitamin D Deficiency.” Brainy Dose. Nov 16, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zakDUZHSrM.
Spritzler, Fransizka. “8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency.” July 23, 2018. link
BrainMD Life. “9 Vital Functions of Vitamin D. “Brain Health. February 21, 2017. link
Ware, Megan. Debra Sullivan, medical reviewer. “What Are the Health Benefits of Vitamin D?” Medical News Today. November 7, 2019. link