You may have heard of the “sunshine vitamin” before – that’s vitamin D! It got that happy sounding name because of how it’s produced in the body. Vitamin D is produced in our skin when we’re exposed to sunlight. It’s a pretty important substance in the body and you always want to make sure you’re getting enough. Let’s take a look at why it’s so very important for us to have in order to stay healthy.
Vitamin D Helps Keep Us Strong
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that is essential to maintain strong bones. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is what keeps our bones from getting soft. It also helps our muscles move, which is important for maintaining balance and coordination. It also regulates cell growth, and carries messages through the nervous system, which is all part of ensuring we can move with ease as we get older.
Vitamin D Helps Prevent Disease and Illness
Since vitamin D plays such a big role in many functions of the body, it’s no surprise to hear that keeping your levels up will keep you healthier. By ensuring you have enough vitamin D in your system, you lower the risk of developing conditions like multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and even catching the flu. What’s more, vitamin D can help boost your immune system so that if you do get sick, you can recover quickly.
Vitamin D Reduces Depression
If you ever feel a big sluggish and run down in the winter, you are not alone. It could be due to a lack of vitamin D. We often spend more time indoors during the colder months, which means we aren’t exposed to as much natural sunlight. This can lead to depression in some. Studies have shown that supplementation of vitamin D in those who suffer from depression can help to improve symptoms.
How Much Vitamin D Do We Need?
The daily recommended amounts of vitamin D differ based on age. For adults aged 19-70, at least 600 IU of vitamin D is recommended daily. For people aged 71 and over, the amount goes up to 800 IU. It’s easy to get to these levels if you follow the methods listed below.
How Can We Ensure We’re Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Have you ever noticed that you feel a whole lot more energetic and happy on a bright and sunny day? Well, vitamin D has a lot to do with that. The easiest way to get some more vitamin D in the system is to simply spend more time outside. At Bria Communities, we offer dedicated outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy the sunshine. The Wexford features a courtyard and a rooftop garden, and The Waterford has beautiful landscapes, pedestrian walkways, and a stunning water feature.
As mentioned earlier, our bodies produce vitamin D when we’re exposed to sunlight, so if you make the effort to spend a little extra time outdoors each day, you’ll surely feel the difference. You don’t have to stay out in the sun all day – a couple of short walks or simply sitting outside for a short while every day should do the trick.
We can also get vitamin D through the foods we eat. Many foods are naturally high in vitamin D, such as liver, eggs, red meat and oily fish. Vitamin D can also be found in fortified foods like orange juice, cereals, milk, and yogurt. By adding these foods to your diet, you’ll increase your vitamin D levels fairly quickly.
Another way to quickly boost your vitamin D levels is to take a supplement. A doctor can suggest an appropriate level of supplement to take, since everyone will require different amounts to get their levels back up to normal. Supplements are easy to find and are taken daily, typically in pill form or through liquid drops. This is a great way to keep your levels up during the cold winter months, when we don’t spend a ton of time outside.
How Bria Communities Promotes Healthy Vitamin D Levels
At Bria Communities, we are aware of the many health benefits of vitamin D. Our dietician-approved meals are designed to ensure residents meet their nutritional needs, which includes vitamin D. We also offer recreational programs that encourage residents to get outside and stay active, which also helps keep vitamin D levels up. If vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed in a resident, we always make sure we work with them to stick to a treatment plan provided by a doctor.
Comments