We’re half-way through the summer and if you live anywhere in the UK chances are you’re feeling sun deprived. Summer in the UK is particularly precious because it’s so short and this one’s been a washout so far. Thinking about friends in England reminded me of the importance of the sunshine vitamin and the fact that unless you live somewhere sunny and spend time outside most days, chances are you’re short of vitamin D.
Even after a beach holiday our vitamin D can still be too low because if we use sunscreen (SPF 8 or higher) we’re blocking our skin’s ability to make the sunshine vitamin. Although some foods contain small amounts of it, there are only two ways to ensure we get enough: sunlight on our skin and supplements.
Most of us already know how important D is for immunity, bones, muscle function and a sunny outlook on life, but recent research suggests that it might help with addictions and cravings too. It’s been found that vitamin D deficiency can heighten cravings for opioids and possibly other substances too. Our skin, when exposed to ultraviolet rays, produces endorphin which is related to morphine, heroin, and other opioids—all activate the same receptors in the brain.
Why do we tend to gain weight in the winter, and lose it in the summer? Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that the fat cells which lie just below our skin shrink when they’re exposed to the blue light from the sun!
Get yourself checked! The general consensus is that a good level in the blood is around 50 ng/ml which equates to 125 nmol/L. There are several labs online that offer finger prick blood tests to do at home, including this one in the UK. Without testing you can safely take 2000iu vitamin D daily (even if you are exposing your skin to the sun) along with the other fat-soluble vitamins, A, E and K, which work together to support our health. Take with food, to optimise absorption.
You can read more about this in The Human Being Diet (available at amazon.co.uk and amazon.com ) in the chapter ‘Resetting our Rhythm – what makes us tick?’
Even after a beach holiday our vitamin D can still be too low because if we use sunscreen (SPF 8 or higher) we’re blocking our skin’s ability to make the sunshine vitamin. Although some foods contain small amounts of it, there are only two ways to ensure we get enough: sunlight on our skin and supplements.
Most of us already know how important D is for immunity, bones, muscle function and a sunny outlook on life, but recent research suggests that it might help with addictions and cravings too. It’s been found that vitamin D deficiency can heighten cravings for opioids and possibly other substances too. Our skin, when exposed to ultraviolet rays, produces endorphin which is related to morphine, heroin, and other opioids—all activate the same receptors in the brain.
Why do we tend to gain weight in the winter, and lose it in the summer? Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that the fat cells which lie just below our skin shrink when they’re exposed to the blue light from the sun!
Get yourself checked! The general consensus is that a good level in the blood is around 50 ng/ml which equates to 125 nmol/L. There are several labs online that offer finger prick blood tests to do at home, including this one in the UK. Without testing you can safely take 2000iu vitamin D daily (even if you are exposing your skin to the sun) along with the other fat-soluble vitamins, A, E and K, which work together to support our health. Take with food, to optimise absorption.
You can read more about this in The Human Being Diet (available at amazon.co.uk and amazon.com ) in the chapter ‘Resetting our Rhythm – what makes us tick?’