The Importance of Vitamin D During Canadian Winters

You may know that it’s more difficult to obtain adequate Vitamin D during harsh Canadian winters, and perhaps you supplement with it, but do you know why this vitamin is so important?

Vitamin D actually plays a duel role as both a vitamin and as a prohormone. A prohormone is a substance the body can convert to a hormone.
Vitamin D plays an important role in the mineralization of bones, and by helping to regulate calcium and phosphorus absorption, it helps to keep bones strong. This vitamin also plays a role in ensuring that the heart, lungs and brain function properly.
Low vitamin D levels can be linked to mental illness, insomnia, nearsightedness, as well as a weakened immune system.
Causes of Vitamin D deficiency can be related to our modern lifestyle; a sedentary life that often includes a lack of sun exposure. Additionally, if our digestive system is not functioning optimally (this includes a large percentage of the general population), it may be hindering the absorption of vitamin D, both from the diet, and the conversion of vitamin D obtained from the sun.  
As you can see, Vitamin D is extremely important.
If you think you may not be getting enough Vitamin D, I recommend visiting your primary health care provider and requesting you have your blood drawn to test you Vitamin D - 25-hydroxy. From here you can work with your primary health care provider, or a holistic nutritionist like myself, to determine what changes you can make to your diet, and how much supplemental vitamin D is recommended.

References
Metagenics Marketing Team. (n.d.). Vitamin D: Why You Need It & How to Get It. Retrieved January 21, 2019 from, https://blog.metagenicscanada.com/post/2018/12/20/vitamin-d-why-you-need-it-how-to-get-it/
Perrault, D. (2015). Nutritional symptomology; Handbook for CSNN students. Richmond Hill, ON: CSNN Publishing.
(n.d.). Vitamin D. Hormone Health Society. Retrieved January 21, 2019 from https://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/hormones/vitamin-d
Tripkovic L et al. (2012). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic reveiw and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(6):1357-1364.