Blog# 154 Sunlight Fortifies Immune Function
Now that Winter Solstice has passed, America’s Northern Hemisphere is gradually receiving more sunlight daily. Southern states, even during the Winter months, frequently receive ample sunlight for their residents to stay warm and also create significant amounts of Vitamin D to support good health, including strong bones and immunity . Crops can grow year-round in some of these states. Florida and California are two good examples.
Residents of the more Northern states do not receive as much sunlight during the Winter months, so their bodies may not make optimal amounts of Vitamin D to keep their immune systems strong during these months. Additionally, people living in these colder locations tend to expend much physical energy insulating themselves from and fending off cold temperatures. These situations all contribute to the increased likelihood of flu and “colds” being experienced from late Fall through early Spring.
Although sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D for most people, a few either are ultra-sensitive or even allergic to sun and so may need to avoid sunlight entirely. Others, such as the elderly, the very obese, or those with darkly pigmented skin may not be able to manufacture sufficient D or may need major, long-time sun exposure for their bodies to manufacture enough to meet their needs. Other sources of the sunlight Vitamin include wild fatty fish, such as Salmon, Tuna, Sardines, Cod, Herring and Mackerel. Other good sources of natural D are egg yolks, some mushrooms, especially shiitake and morels that grow out of doors and experience some sunlight. Beef and livers of grass-fed animals living out of doors contain good quantities of Vitamin D.
If you do not get sufficient sunlight or consume sufficient amounts of the above foods in the darker months, then it might be advisable to take a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D3 is considered to be better for you than D2. The sunlight vitamin is best absorbed taken with oily or fatty food, as long as the oil or fat is high quality. Some people may not know that it is best to take Vitamin D in the morning or afternoon. Taking D at night may interfere with sleep. Several brands of fish oil also contain D, but since the waters are growing increasingly polluted, and the food these fish eat is increasingly contaminated by mercury, plastics, and many industrial chemicals, fish may become an increasingly less wholesome food. This especially applies to fish liver oils, since the liver is a major detoxifier and also is the most vascular organ in most animals’ bodies. In Norway, it is recommended that women of child-bearing age avoid consuming fish livers for this reason. Here is a link you can cut and paste to your browser, if you are interested in reading about this topic: Consumption of Fish-Liver and Risk of Cancer-an Epidemiological Approach to the Arctic Dilemma
Taking care of your health by regular exercise – especially out of doors, good diet, sufficient sleep, reducing stress levels among other things, will also help improve your absorption and manufacture of the sunshine vitamin. Optimal blood levels range from about 50 ng/ml to about 110 ng/ml. Vitamin D toxicity is rare, but it does happen. And many people have low levels of vitamin D. Once again, the best source for this vitamin is sunlight, though it may be necessary to use more than one source. It is understandable that many cultures worshipped the Sun as their major Deity, since it’s presence helped the Earth produce food and helped humans survive. Let us be grateful that the Sun is again on its way back to bringing more light, warmth and vitality into our lives. Happy New Year.
This month’s blog offer: contact me if you want further information about some excellent or little-known sources of Vitamin D to support immunity.
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