Vitamins form a key component of any complete and healthy diet worth speaking of. In particular, vitamin D needs to be name-checked, as it is of significant importance to our overall well-being. Vitamin D deficiency in our system could result in weaker bones, the slow healing of wounds, fatigue, an ill-functioning immune system, hair loss, and even depression. So, why not step into the light and get more vitamin D into your life!
‘Eat your vitamins and say your prayers’, was Hulk Hogan’s catchphrase of choice, from what I remember, and its stress on vitamins, and vitamin D, in particular, should not be disregarded. Now then, how do you know if you’re getting enough vitamin D into your being, I hear you ask? Well, let’s find out!
Five signs you’re not getting enough of the sunshine vitamin
Unusually hot
Why, yes – you are uniquely so, but feeling a bit warmer or hotter than those around you when the weather isn’t that warm, or when you are not involved in any strenuous activity is one of the signs that your body’s not getting enough vitamin D.
Burnt out
Feeling wiped before your day is done, or generally feeling fatigued through the day even after a good night’s sleep could also be indicative of vitamin D deficiency. So keep your eyes peeled.
Down in the proverbial dumps
A lack of vitamin D coursing through our systems has now been linked to depression. This vitamin is known to influence our ‘feel good’ areas of the brain, which in turn influence our moods.
‘It pains and aches all over’
Bone-aches, joint and muscle pains, as well arthritis and fibromyalgia are now being increasingly totted up to a lack of the ‘big’ vitamin D, by those in the know.
A weaker frame
Fragile bones and a frame that’s easily broken or fractured could be indicative of a diet that’s sorely lacking in vitamin D. What’s more, a diet rich in this vitamin is known to do it’s best to get rid of rickets.
So, who’s at risk for vitamin D deficiency?
Now that you’ve got front and center with the signs that indicate that your body could be down on its vitamin D stores, let’s come to grips with exactly who’s at risk. Turns out if you’re of a particular vintage, in the region of 55 years and above, as well as if you’re stuck in the office or indoors for extended periods of time, you just might be the person this article is aimed at. In addition, generally darker skinned persons could be at risk too, as the increased presence of melanin makes it more difficult for the body to produce vitamin D from sunlight.
While the previous three demographics may simply not be getting enough vitamin as a result of not getting out in the sun enough, vegans and vegetarians are at risk too, as generally speaking, animal-based diets, and those with dairy in them do naturally contain vitamin D. Also, it’d be remiss of us to omit those who are afflicted by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and those with high Body Mass Indexes (BMIs) from this list.
Do you have any advice for someone who suspects they may be vitamin D deficient?
Salute the sun! Well, it ain’t called the sunshine vitamin for nothing, in it? So if you’ve come across signs of vitamin D deficiency, get yourself out in the sun in the morning or mid-evening.
Besides this, include cod-liver oil, mushrooms, salmon and sunflower seeds into your diet, as they are all rich sources of vitamin D. So now you know, and know just what to do!
