How to Prevent this Year's Winter Illness with Vitamin D

Every year people believe it’s normal to contract an illness of some sort. This illness usually turns out to be a cold or flu. But is it really a normal thing to be getting ill so often and on a schedule each year? Surely there’s a reason.

After all, we’re all old enough now to realize that getting cold doesn’t give you a cold. So what’s the true reason behind so many illnesses? The real answer is a lack of vitamin D. Since we get high amounts of vitamin D from the sun, this explains why so many people get ill in the winter time.

According to science our bodies actually store vitamin D. Throughout the spring and summer when the sun is constantly out, we’re able to stock up on sun/vitamin D. Once the body uses what it has to, then it stores the rest for times when the sun isn’t so abundant.

However, we can’t completely rely on the sun, especially when so many people live in areas of the world that don’t see the sun much for as long as 6 to 9 months. It’s not uncommon in the UK to go without a good summer day, where temperatures reach 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit or above from September until May. People in countries like Spain, Cuba and Jamaica are enjoying the sun for most of the year, plus they’re eating a much better diet than most of us. This means that they’re maximizing their vitamin D storage on two fronts.

So how do you combat this lack of vitamin D especially when you live in a place like Norway, the UK or even the colder parts of North America such as Canada or some of the US states?

Vitamin D Foods

Firstly let us take a look at some of the top foods containing vitamin D, just to see how well you’re doing with your diet.

• Eggs
• Oily Fish
• Cod Liver Oil
• Mushrooms
• Tofu
• Pork
• Cheese
• Oranges

These foods aren’t everyone’s daily go to, with eggs perhaps being the exception. This is why it’s easy to see how vitamin D levels can get low during the winter months. These foods should be used to compensate for the lack of vitamin D once the sun becomes rare. You can still eat them all year round, but you should increase their consumption as the winter draws near. You’ll know if you’re getting enough since you’ll maintain a year-round tan. Once we run out of vitamin D our skin gets lighter and lighter because pale skin requires less vitamin D.

Vitamin D Benefits

Vitamin D is a highly beneficial nutrient. It is necessary for many functions in the human body. such as:

• Faster Fat Loss
• Testosterone Boost
• Increased Bone Size & Strength
• Improved Heart Health
• Reduces Risk Of Cancer
• Improves Immune System & Prevents Illness

Signs Of Vitamin D Deficiency

Signs and symptoms of vitamin D are not very specific or always obvious. They are often confused with the symptoms of other diseases and the vitamin deficiency often gets overlooked. Some of the general signs of vitamin D deficiency are:

• Depression
• Obesity
• Your Bones Ache
• Head Sweating
• Gut Trouble & Inability to Absorb Fat
• Tiredness & Fatigue
• Muscle Weakness
• Pale Skin (If Skin Was Darker Before)
• Constant Colds/Flu

What To Do Next?

If this article sounds too much like your life, then it’s time to assess what’s going on. If you live in a warm country but still have these issues, then you may need to get outside more often and eat the foods that are mentioned above.

If you live in a colder region of the world, then get more sun when it’s out. This means more walks in the summer and less time stuck behind your desk or TV - make the most of the sun while it’s around. Secondly, the foods mentioned above should be consumed more often especially in winter. Make sure you’re consuming at least one of the above foods each day and you should have a better chance of staying illness free this winter.