Nutrient of the Week: Vitamin D

Vitamin D is actually more like a hormone than a vitamin. It is mostly made in the body when the skin is exposed to the sun, however some foods also contain this important nutrient in small quantities. This means that totally avoiding the sun, can cause a vitamin D deficiency. So to boost your vitamin D levels, the best time for sun exposure is early morning until 10am or after 4pm. Being sure to expose as much of your body as possible for a 15 minute period without sunscreen is the best way to guarantee results.

Calcium and vitamin D are intimately connected and together they are essential to create and maintain the healthy growth and development of bones and teeth, which makes it a winning combination for helping to prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D is also essential for normal blood clotting, a healthy immune system and healthy thyroid activity.

For rich food sources you can’t go passed: Egg yolk, cod, halibut, salmon and sardines.

Deficiency symptoms include: Muscle cramps, soft bones, bowing legs, abnormal spinal curvature, burning sensation in the mouth and throat, as well as diarrhoea and insomnia. If you’d like to know whether your vitamin D levels are normal—talk to your doctor, you can have a simple blood test to find out.

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Gabriela Rosa is an author, researcher, natural fertility specialist and founder of Natural Fertility & Health Solutions—a multi modality, integrative medicine practice based in Sydney. Gabriela is devoted to creating healthy and happy families by helping bring healthy babies into the world and empowering individuals through better health. Gabriela publishes two celebrated ezines the ‘Natural Fertility Booster’ and ‘Natural Health Booster’ with 1,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to optimise your health, wellbeing and fertility, get your FREE subscription and great tips now at www.boostyourfertilitynow.com or www.boostyourhealthnow.com.

Keywords: Osteoporosis > Vitamin D