Life Diet Health
Something a bit different today! Although I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes, the initial idea of my blog was supposed to be offering advice on Life, Diet and Health!
At this time of the year, especially in the UK many individuals have a post seasonal slump; people suffer mood changes because of the inclement weather; lethargy and fatigue set in; and several will become Vitamin D deficient due to the lack of sun (which we all know is the best source of Vitamin D).
If…you eat meat or fish, then your sources of this calcium absorbing aid can be found in salmon, tuna, mackerel, beef liver or even cod liver oil. If you are vegetarian then your Vitamin D could come from egg yolk or from fortified products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, cereal, margarine and orange juice. However, if you are vegan; dairy or lactose intolerant; or attempting to lead a natural fresh and wholefoods diet, then Vitamin D is much harder to find in foods. There are fortified dairy free milks including soya, oat and rice milks but different brands will have varying levels so check these carefully before purchase. Mushrooms are a natural source of vitamin D (although you would have to eat large amounts) with Portobello, Shitake and Chanterelle mushrooms being good sources… interesting fact 🙂 Mushrooms make their own vitamin D and if exposed to ultra-violet light, they significantly increase their vitamin D levels! 🙂
If you are concerned that you may be vitamin D deficient, a visit to the Doctors to explain your symptoms can lead to a quick blood test which will confirm this. In the UK at this time of year it is estimated that half of the population are vitamin D deficient with one in six being severely deficient. When you consider that strong teeth and healthy bones as well as immune system functions are reliant on obtaining the correct balance of calcium and vitamin D, it may be time to consider (at least until the sunshine returns) taking a supplement to boost your levels. Please note that recommended daily levels vary from country to country and person to person and it is possible to have too much Vitamin D, therefore for more details please consult a health professional.
If you’re reading this and you’re somewhere sunny… please send it this way! 🙂