(NaturalHealth365) Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients our bodies need for optimum health.  Our brains need it to function efficiently, our bones, skin, and connective tissues need it to remain strong and resilient.

For as much as we need it on a daily basis, it is often one of the most overlooked of all the vitamins and minerals.  It’s also one of the easiest for us to get, partly because our body has the ability to make the majority of what it needs.  This begs the question if vitamin D is so readily available, why is vitamin D deficiency so incredibly common?

Why do we need vitamin D?

Vitamin D is the “gatekeeper” for both calcium and phosphates.  Without adequate amounts of vitamin D, your body can’t regulate calcium in the blood and tissues.  And, to be clear, low levels of vitamin D can also lead to a depressed immune system.  But, it should be noted, when it comes to getting the right kind of vitamin D supplementation … think vitamin D3, not vitamin D2 found in many processed foods.

Generally speaking, the brain also relies on sufficient amounts of vitamin D in order to function efficiently.  Without adequate amounts of vitamin D and other essential nutrients – found in (healthy) fats like avocados and coconut oil, cognitive function can drop influencing memory, clarity, and the ability to concentrate or focus on important tasks.

What should you do if you are deficient in vitamin D?

When you ask people what they will do if they find out they are vitamin D deficient, the majority of them will say “take a supplement.”  A few may interject that it is easily added to their diet by including more dairy products and certain vegetables like kale, spinach, and okra.  But, in many cases, it’s not that simple due to other health issues making it difficult to properly absorb enough vitamin D.

Don’t get me wrong: eating a healthier (organic) diet and taking a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement are great decisions.  But, in many cases, if you’re not getting enough of the other nutrients required to properly absorb vitamin D … then, correcting a serious deficiency can be challenging at best.

Here is the best possible source of vitamin D … and it’s free!

Direct sunlight exposure!  There are no two ways about it.  Our bodies can make the vitamin D we need if we expose a majority of our skin to about 20 – 30 minutes of sun, every day.  The problem is very few people are doing this, especially since many people live lifestyles that make this habit difficult.

It should be noted: many people claim that sitting in the sun is “bad for you.”  But, in reality, that really isn’t true unless you burn your skin through overexposure.  Simply put, without adequate amounts of sun exposure, our body can’t make the vitamin D it needs naturally.

Bottom line: with our hectic schedules, it is easy to overlook the fact that we aren’t really taking care of our health, and vitamin deficiencies are often the result.  With vitamin D, we tend to forget that we can overcome our deficiency by making simple changes to our lifestyle.

Could this overlooked reason cause your vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D and magnesium go hand in hand within the body.  When taken in the proper amounts, vitamin D and magnesium enhance the benefits that each one offers.  They work together to strengthen both the body and the mind.  If either one is missing, the body has difficulty absorbing the other.

No doubt, when it comes to our health, it’s easy to overlook the need for certain nutrients.  We are busy with family, employment, and other activities that demand our time and focus.  It’s important that we spend some of that time and focus to care for ourselves.

Go for a walk.  Spend a reasonable amount of time in the sun.  Visit a farmer’s market and eat healthy (organic) food, as much as possible.  Above all, practice self-care.  We are in charge of our own health.  If we don’t practice self-care and provide our bodies with what they need, our health will deteriorate.

Take charge of your own health.  Do what YOU need to do to maintain good health!  Understand what your body needs and vitamin deficiencies will become less of an issue.

Sources used for this article:

NIH.gov
LifeExtension.com