Vitamin D, The Most Important Vitamin In Winter

In winter, it is essential for every one of us to use herbal remedies, medicines or special heath supplements to strengthen our immunity. According to the specialists, a key role is played by vitamin D, which should definitely be considered the most important vitamin in winter. Vitamin D is a substance that is produced in our skin, gets activated in our kidneys and liver, and has certain effects on our immunity and hormonal activity.  The importance of vitamin D increases in winter because during this time of the year we receive not much of sunlight, which stimulates natural production of this vitamin in our body.

It is possible to name numerous vitamin D benefits. In addition to strengthening our immunity and decreasing our vulnerability to infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis, influenza and others), vitamin D plays a key role as a nutrient for general health. Vitamin D aids digestion of calcium and magnesium, stimulated protein and carbohydrate metabolism, decreases the risks of developing osteoporosis, rachitis and other problems with bone health.

Vitamin D benefits include miraculous properties of this nutrient to improve woman’s health and strengthen their reproductive function. This vitamin is very useful for those who suffer from sleep disorders, chronic tiredness, irritability and anxiety. Finally, according to French scientists, regular consumption of vitamin D can postpone natural death from cancer, diabetes or stroke, and this way prolong our life. The 6-year experiments in Paris showed that those who do not have vitamin D deficiency live in average 7% longer than those who do not consume this vitamin.

Just as I said before, vitamin D is produced in our body as  a result of sunlight exposure. In summer we all are exposed to sun for long time, and our body produces and stores a good amount of this vitamin. Also, there’s another way to receive vitamin D, which is important in winter time: healthy nutrition. The best food sources of vitamin D include cod liver, nuts, milk, butter and eggs. Fish fat is supposed to have the highest content of vitamin D: 242 mcg per 100 g of the product. Therefore, consuming only 1 spoon of fish fat a day can satisfy our daily need in this vitamin. Exotic fruit, including mango, avocado and grapefruit, are also considered to be good food sources of vitamin D.

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D is about 5-10 mcg. Having more than 40 mcg a day can result in some unwanted effects, such as headaches, appetite loss, nausea and others. It is very important to monitor the levels of vitamin D for breastfeeding moms as their babies receive this vitamin with the milk. Also, if you have increased levels of calcium in your body, or if you suffer from any problem connected with kidney function, it is necessary to keep your vitamin D levels under control. Consult your health care professional for more information, and do not forget about the importance of vitamin D in winter. Stay always healthy, active and happy!

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

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