By Cal Orey, M.A.
For years, I was a fan of the "Great White North," chasing the crisp air of Alaska and Canada. I fancied myself a creature of the big chill, swaddled in layers and shunning the sun. As a lacto-vegetarian who avoided fish, I was living in a self-imposed unhealthy eclipse. The irony of my "healthy" lifestyle was revealed by a lab report. My blood work arrived like a cold front, showing vitamin D levels that were subterranean. I swapped vegetable plates for wild-caught salmon and turned my face toward the sun with gardening and savoring the outdoors at noon. Months later, the needle moved; my blood work finally reflected a body in balance.
As the clocks "spring forward" and we transition out of the winter doldrums, Vitamin D—known as the "sunshine vitamin"—is a spark plug for your health.
Enjoy the Happy Booster: Vitamin D helps regulate serotonin, the “happy” brain chemical. As we gain more light, maintaining higher Vitamin D levels helps beat "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD) and provides your "get-up-and-go" energy. Pre-spring is often peak season for lingering respiratory woes and late-winter colds. Vitamin D comes to the rescue to enhance your immune defense—and decreases inflammation and odds of catching pesky viruses.
Soak up the Sun: The most natural way to "recharge" is through UVB radiation. When sunlight hits the skin, you get Vitamin D3. During pre-spring, experts recommend 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure on the face, arms, or back at least twice a week between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Get Vitamin-D Superfoods: Here are 5 foods for Vitamin D: Wild Salmon: It acts like “Super Glue” to keep your bones strong and heart healthy. Egg Yolks: They provide a brain and body booster to rev up your mood. Fortified OJ, Milk, and Whole Grain Cereal: This trio contains plenty of Vitamin D, helping you reach your Daily Value by utilizing D2 or D3 to ensure metabolic needs are met.
So, getting a daily dose of sunshine and eating more Vitamin-D rich foods, say health experts, are recommended for better health. I discovered that while the cold is a fine place to visit, Tahoe sunshine (and savoring fish plus) is my happy place. (Adapted from The Healing Powers of Superfoods.)
CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series. The new, revised 2nd ed. The Healing Powers of Honey (is summer release), and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3rd ed. is in production. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com
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