Moving back to the pacific Northwest has been lovely, since I consider it my home. However, I have to admit that I miss the California sunshine! When I attended the University of Washington, I had a professor who tracked test scores and temperatures. Whenever there was more sun in the spring, test scores were always lower as students flocked to the lawns and lakes to absorb the sun’s rays after our gray winter.
Why Do We Need Vitamin D?
There is a lot we still don’t know about vitamin D. However, recent studies show that it may affect the following conditions:
- Sleep Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- PMS
- Immune System
- Irritable Bowel Disease
Who knew that the sunshine vitamin can affect sleep?! Research shows that vitamin D may have an impact on serotonin (a happy hormone) as well as melatonin.
How Do We Get Enough Vitamin D?
Only during the months of July and August are we able to get enough vitamin D from the sun in Northern California. You must spend 20 minutes in the sun with no sunscreen, as long as your skin can tolerate it. Be cautious to prevent sunburn, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. In addition to sunbathing, the other option is supplementation or adding enriched foods to your diet. This dietary option is also good to adopt during months where the sun is not readily available to provide vitamin D.
Have you had your vitamin D levels checked? Contact us today to learn more!