Is taking a vitamin D supplement a good choice? Find out the benefits and more.
I have come to find myself a true light being. When the sun is brilliant in the sky, I naturally have more energy. I am energized by the sun and can get a lot of items checked off my to-do-list when it is shining.
It is quite the opposite on a cloudy day in my world. Hmm, this also makes me think of solar energy.
But what else does the sun offer besides an abundance of energy? It offers you vitamin D that your body cannot make on its own. The significance of this happens to be health. You stay healthy when your skin can absorb natural vitamin D from the sun. Have you noticed sickness happens most during the dark days of winter when our skin isn’t able to take in the sun’s rays?
VITAMIN D BENEFITS
During the winter months or when you are not allowing your skin to absorb natural vitamin D, it is best to supplement. The benefits of supplemental vitamin D give your body health all year long. It boosts up your immune system so your body can naturally fight off any potential sickness.
Vitamin D also elevates mood. During the short days and clouds of winter a mood boost is most welcomed.
However, there is more. Vitamin D also supports the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, healthy brain function, maintains optimum kidney function, and supports healthy bones.
WHICH VITAMIN D IS BEST?
Vitamin D is fat soluble and encompasses D2 and D3. However, vitamin D3 is highly regarded because it resembles what your body naturally produces.
But, vitamin D3 cannot be fully assimilated without the addition of vitamin K2. You can buy these separately or combined into capsule or liquid form. The liquid form of vitamin D3/K2 can be purchased from this trusted source here.
SUPPLEMENTING WITH FOODS
Meats, fish and dairy offer the most vitamin D and vitamin K2. However, during the winter months when more time is spent indoors there is a greater rise in illness. So, I prefer the extra protection of supplementation.
Those who have a darker skin tone require more vitamin D. The darker skin color prevents vitamin D from being absorbed into the body. This poses a problem in the northern hemisphere where people can easily be deficient. Please check with your natural health care practitioner for proper dosing.
This vitamin combination isn’t just for the winter months though. When speaking of immune health, it is easy to think only about winter. If you spend most of your daylight hours in an office or if you are elderly and do not get outside in the sunlight often, then you will benefit from taking supplementation year-round.
FOODS CONTAINING HIGH LEVELS OF VITAMIN D
Wild Caught Salmon
Herring and Sardines
Cod Liver Oil
Canned Tuna Fish (not white or albacore)
Pastured Egg Yolks
FOODS CONTAINING HIGH LEVELS OF VITAMIN K2
Beef Liver
Pork Chops
Chicken
Goose Liver Paste
Pork Bacon
FERMENTED FOOD CONTAINING HIGH LEVELS OF VITAMIN K2
Natto
DAIRY FOODS CONTAINING HIGH LEVELS OF K2
Hard Cheeses
Jarlsberg Cheese
Soft Cheeses
Edam Cheese
Blue Cheese
Pastured Egg Yolks