Are you getting enough of the sunshine vitamin?

For those of us who live in northern climates, the winters mean we spend a lot of time indoors and aren't getting enough sunlight. However, even for people who live in climates warm through the winters, an indoor/sedentary lifestyle can also mean a lack of light. Our skin coverts natural sunlight to vitamin D, so less time outdoors means less vitamin D.

Why do we need it? For healthy teeth and bones. We don't want Rickets and osteomalacia!

If you are on a vegan diet you may be especially at risk since many dairy products are fortified with vitamin D. Very few foods provide enough of your daily requirement. Joe Bonomo reminds us in his "Home Reducing Course" that vitamin D is also found in cod liver oil. If you're like me, cod liver oil isn't exactly appealing, nor is trying to get some rays in freezing temps.  Obese people may need extra vitamin D, too.

Here are some unappetizing symptoms of a deficiency:

Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:

• Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Cognitive impairment in older adults
• Severe asthma in children
• Cancer

Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

Last winter I began taking a natural vitamin D supplement and I definitely noticed a difference in how I feel. Make sure you're getting enough vitamin D!