Thursday 15 December 2016

Winter Remedy

Winter is upon us, with this comes sneezing and constant cold… nothing can protect us from the hands of icy cold winds. 
Medical research has shown that we become deficient in certain vital vitamins during winter.
Those of us living in cold climate who do not get regular sun exposures is likely to be deficient in vitamin D. 

Vitamin D is naturally produced in the skin when we are exposed to the sun's ray. 

There has never been a time than now to consume food rich in this vitamin. Our inactive lifestyle (especially during winter) has seen most of us restricted to our couch in front of the TV. Spending less time outdoors limits our exposure to the sun’s ray. 

Vitamin D is important to our overall health for several reason: amongst these are 
  • It regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorous
  • It facilitates the normal functioning of the immune system. 
  • It is important for the normal growth and development of bones and teeth
  • It is therefore very important to us to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D as it is also reputed to improved resistance against certain diseases.
Vitamin D deficiency is a global epidemic. An estimated 1 billion people do not have adequate vitamin D levels. And 64% of Americans do not get the sufficient amount of vitamin D to keep all of their tissues operating optimally.
The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 600 IUs (15 mcg), for individuals between the ages of 13 and 70. 

Eating foods with vitamin D will ensure that we have sufficient levels. Below are foods with high vitamin D content. 

Eggs- these are excellent source of protein as well as vitamin D. The benefits of eggs are endless, they help balance our mood, sugar levels, protect against heart disease and support healthy function of nerves

Mushrooms- all mushrooms have cleansing properties, in addition they are one of the few non-animal sources of vitamin D. They are essential to bone health,  hormone balance, immune defence and as cancer preventative 

Oily fish - are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. They are known to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and unhealthy cholesterol levels

Breakfast cereals fortified with Vitamin D: regularly consuming cereals fortified with Vitamin D, will ensure that your vitamin D stores is not depleted.  

Orange juice fortified with vitamin D: not only will you benefit from its vitamin C contents. You can also have the added benefit of vitamin D. 

Dairy products-  dairy products are a good source of vitamin d. As well as being a good source of protein and calcium. 

Each of these taken on their own or in combination will ensure that you are in tip top condition all year round not only during summer. 

One way to ensure you have a good store of Vitamin D is to take a vitamin D supplement. It is recommended to take vitamin D supplement if you have been diagnose with Rheumatoid arthritis. I am on this supplement as a sufferer of Rheumatoid and can testify to an improvement in my overall wellbeing. Please consult your Doctor before taking any supplement.

living a healthy active life is one way of ensuring that you have a constant supply of a range of vitamins.
Kick start 2017 today with a decision to go healthy.


Disclaimer:

The writer is not a medical expert, the articles published in this blog are intended for information only and should not be taken to be medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any medical advise.

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