One of our favorite health benefits of summer's long, sunny days is the abundance of time to soak up the sunshine. Not only does it feel great, but there are also some real health benefits to getting outside, namely boosting your Vitamin D levels.
How does it work?
When the sun hits your skin, the UV ray exposure combined with the cholesterol in your skin produces Vitamin D. Funnily enough, Vitamin D’s properties act more like a hormone than a vitamin. This is why it’s often associated with mood.
Why do we need Vitamin D?
Other than the obvious “feel good” benefits, Vitamin D is an integral part of your internal systems.
- Needed for proper calcium absorption in the intestines
- Vital for balancing the calcium levels in your blood so it can be used in muscle contraction and nerve signaling functions
- Allows your body to provide a balanced and effective immune system response
- Supports your nerves, allowing them to fire correctly and communicate with each other
- Necessary for healthy blood pressure and cardiac function
- Essential for a happy and healthy mood
- Aids in brain function
- Helps stabilize blood sugar
While the sun is the most accessible (and economical) way to obtain Vitamin D, there are a few other ways to bolster your stores if getting outside isn’t possible or your levels require intervention.
Supplements: The easiest other way to stock up on Vitamin D is by taking a supplement. At SWW®, we always recommend being vigilant when choosing supplements. Step one would be to consult a doctor before adding anything to your regimen. Once you get the green light, make sure you select a high-quality Vitamin D supplement infused with K2 to ensure calcium is absorbed by your bones and not soft tissue in your body.
Vitamin D-rich foods: Consuming egg yolks, fatty fish, liver, and cod liver oil will help you boost your Vitamin D levels in a nutritious, SWW® approved way.
Staying on top of these aspects of your health will make all the difference in your day-to-day quality of life. Small changes like getting outside more or adding vitamin-rich foods to your diet can be the difference between a good day and a bad one.