We hear more and more in the corridors about vitamin D. This is not surprising since it is an incredibly important vitamin. We get vitamin D mainly through sunlight, which means that in our chilly country we quickly become deficient. In these months, it is extra important and that is why orthomolecular therapist Amber Leimena explains everything you want to know about vitamin D in this article!
Functions of vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in which we can distinguish between vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D has a number of important functions in our body and brain. I have listed them globally for you; vitamin D...
- Supports the immune system
- Has a positive impact on children's immune system
- Is good for muscle function
- Contributes to the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food
- Helps in the cell division process
- Is important for teeth
Also, research shows that vitamin D enhances the production of serotonin (happiness hormone). This may explain the link between vitamin D deficiency and winter blues.
Do I have a vitamin D deficiency?
In winter, we quickly become vitamin D deficient because we hardly get to see sunlight. Currently, it is very important to deal with this in a conscious way, as it can take 3-4 months for such a deficiency to fully recover.
In vitamin D deficiency, we can distinguish between physical and mental symptoms.
- Mental complaints
- Gloom
- Depression
- Dejection
- Winter dip
- Experiencing less happiness
- Physical complaints
- Fatigue
- Trembling muscles or muscle cramps
- Weaker bones
- Osteoporosis
- Decreased immune system
- Dizziness
It is important to keep in mind that these could be symptoms. As a therapist, I always like to look at the complete picture. That's why our EMB blood test includes measuring vitamin D levels, because to measure is to know!
Now what!
Vitamin D3 in particular is produced by sunlight. This is also the reason why we quickly become deficient during the winter months. Looking at foods, we can get vitamin D3 from sardines, salmon, eel, mackerel, trout, anchovies and herring, cod liver oil, eggs in the yolk. Unfortunately, the amount of D3 in these foods is often not enough to compensate for a deficiency.
Vitamin D2, on the other hand, we get from mushrooms and fungi. Again, we quickly run shortages of this if we do not ingest these foods. Unfortunately, there are not really vitamin D rich vegetables, so it is often wise to consider a supplement.
Our vitamin D supplement also contains vitamin K2, which is important for the absorption of calcium in the bones. If K2 is not present, D3 will accumulate in the body. Shop your supplement here or get your supplement recommendation here!
