This sun has returned! Everyone is feeling a little better, and with good reason. Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because the sun helps your body make this important vitamin. Let’s take a few moments to discover what Vitamin D helps with, how not having enough can affect you, and ways to improve your levels for better health.

The liver and fatty tissues in your body store Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin. Unlike other vitamins, the body makes most of it on its own using sunlight. Its benefits include boosting immunity, managing blood sugar, supporting bone health, improving mood and helping with concentration, learning and memory, protecting against cancer and heart disease, and regulating hormones. That is a load for nutrient. What happens if you can’t get enough sun or enough Vitamin D in your diet?

Being deficient can cause a plethora of problems. The most common symptoms include depression, anxiety, weakness, chronic fatigue, trouble sleeping, weak bones and a weakened immune system. Others include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease and cancer. Experts believe most adult are at least mildly deficient. Those at the greatest risk are people who live in northern regions of the world where less year-round sun exposure is experienced, those who are overweight, and people with dark skin. Wow!

The good news is that, given enough time, you can bring up you Vitamin D levels naturally. Sunlight exposure for 10 minutes per day, without sunscreen, will help your body make about 10,000 units of natural vitamin D and some consider the most effective way to increase your levels. Food sources include fish, mushrooms exposed to UV rays, and eggs and dairy products. Vitamin D3 (the more active form) can easily found but be sure to get a high-quality source. Most adults should take between 600 and 5,000 IU daily. I often have patients with deficiencies taking 10,000 IU daily and often test for what their personal level is.

Focusing on this powerful nutrient can make massive difference in your health. Make the SHIFT today!