The Midwest has a lot going for it-friendly people, a fabulously central location to the rest of the lower 48 states, we avoid a good deal of natural disasters, but sometimes, we forget all of these wonderful things from November until the end of March as the bitterly cold claws of winter pull us into a never-ending melancholy. All thanks to our 5 long months of gray, windy winter.
If it were more like Denver, 364 days of sunshine with the snow, we’d probably think less about how blah the winter is here and how icky we sometimes feel. Any given day we wake up throughout these months, we may be convinced we suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly referred to as SAD. We are SAD, yes, but what is most likely happening is a loss of Vitamin D from the absence of the sun.
Common symptoms of SAD mirror some of those related to low levels of Vitamin D, including: depression, fatigue, muscle pain, and appetite changes. Since SAD is said to begin in the fall and last until spring time, it is understandable you assume you have SAD since those are the most common months we spend indoors, away from the sun, and get less chances to get Vitamin D.
This hide and seek game we play from the sun can be changed through diet in these darker months by ensuring you get enough Vitamin D through foods such as: sockeye salmon, sardines, shrimp, milk, cod, and eggs. Obviously it depends on your current health and the individual- if you are lactose intolerant, have high cholesterol, or a fish allergy, you may not be able to indulge in these food sources.
Foods high in vitamin D also help you fend off diseases like: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer. It also helps keep your bones and teeth strong, regulates the growth and activity of your cells, and reduces inflammation.
However, if these vitamin D concentrated food sources are not in your daily food regimen for whatever reason, consulting your doctor on the best Vitamin D supplement may be the wisest second step. From personal experience, I had my blood tested and was prescribed a larger dose of Vitamin D than you can get over-the-counter, which may be necessary for more and more people these days.
Stop counting down until spring and combat those winter blues with ample vitamin D and some fun winter activities. Again, a well-balanced diet to the rescue!
If it were more like Denver, 364 days of sunshine with the snow, we’d probably think less about how blah the winter is here and how icky we sometimes feel. Any given day we wake up throughout these months, we may be convinced we suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly referred to as SAD. We are SAD, yes, but what is most likely happening is a loss of Vitamin D from the absence of the sun.
Common symptoms of SAD mirror some of those related to low levels of Vitamin D, including: depression, fatigue, muscle pain, and appetite changes. Since SAD is said to begin in the fall and last until spring time, it is understandable you assume you have SAD since those are the most common months we spend indoors, away from the sun, and get less chances to get Vitamin D.
This hide and seek game we play from the sun can be changed through diet in these darker months by ensuring you get enough Vitamin D through foods such as: sockeye salmon, sardines, shrimp, milk, cod, and eggs. Obviously it depends on your current health and the individual- if you are lactose intolerant, have high cholesterol, or a fish allergy, you may not be able to indulge in these food sources.
Foods high in vitamin D also help you fend off diseases like: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer. It also helps keep your bones and teeth strong, regulates the growth and activity of your cells, and reduces inflammation.
However, if these vitamin D concentrated food sources are not in your daily food regimen for whatever reason, consulting your doctor on the best Vitamin D supplement may be the wisest second step. From personal experience, I had my blood tested and was prescribed a larger dose of Vitamin D than you can get over-the-counter, which may be necessary for more and more people these days.
Stop counting down until spring and combat those winter blues with ample vitamin D and some fun winter activities. Again, a well-balanced diet to the rescue!
