Are you low on Vitamin D?

I went on a trip to Vancouver Island at the tail end of summer, but my friend and I were lucky enough to get two really good sunny days. We enjoyed a visit to the Butchart Gardens, an afternoon tea and a beautiful sprawling winery. After that it was quite rainy and gloomy. Understandably, you can’t have sunshine all year round while also having so many beautiful forests and trees, but the constant rain is definitely something that can play a major role in one’s mood. 

I am one of those people who needs a daily dose of Vitamin D straight from the sun else I have low energy and my mood is not the best. When that’s not possible I eat food rich in Vitamin D and take Vitamin D supplements. Despite the fact that our body is able to synthesize only 20% of Vitamin D through food it is important to make sure they are staple in our diet. A good source of Vitamin D is liver, red meat, butter, egg yolks, mushrooms and fatty fish like salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel. Many foods like milk or cereals are also fortified with Vitamin D. 

Just 20 minutes of direct sun exposure contribute to 80% of your daily Vitamin D. 

The remaining 80% of Vitamin D, Vitamin D3, comes from the synthesization of the UV rays that reach the skin, but given that the air is generally polluted and we wear sunscreen it might be difficult to get it this way too and Vitamin D is one of those critical vitamins that we absolutely need as it is responsible for so many critical functions like bone health, immunity and mood. 

This fat soluble vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus which are fundamental for bone mineralization, immunity and cognitive function. If you often feel achy, tired and are more prone to fractures you might be lacking Vitamin D. A simple blood test can tell you if you lack Vitamin D.

Second, it is critical to regulate mood. In fact, it’s not by chance that in countries with less sunlight there is a higher risk of depression. Furthermore, as Vitamin D receptors are located in the areas of the brain which correspond to depression, taking enough of this antioxidant can keep brain tissues active and balance mood. Its distribution across the brain areas including the amygdala is directly related to psychiatric disorders. 

In conclusion, whenever possible, taking just 15 to 20 minutes of direct sunlight leads to Vitamin D synthesis. If that’s not possible, a combination of food and supplements, and possibly even red light therapy can help with that. 

Semaine PMS and Period support contains Vitamin D3 among the many other all natural ingredients which greatly help stabilize mood during that time of the month and beyond. 

Try it and let us know what you think!