In the not too distant past we all believed that being in the sunshine was enough to get adequate vitamin D. Spending time working in your yard, or having a job that took you outside for most of the day was satisfactory. Doctors and research scientists are now realizing that is not the case. Vitamin D deficiency has become a national epidemic in the US. Doctors are now linking this major problem to many health issues that can be easily remedied with adequate vitamin D.

Some of the problems that vitamin D deficiency can cause or be related to are osteoporosis, depression, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, parathyroid problems, poor immune function and even difficulty with loosing weight. Research also suggests that vitamin D could play a major role in preventing a number of different conditions, such as both types of diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

Some of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include but are not limited to; bone pain, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, depression and fatigue. These could mean you have a vitamin D deficiency, but for many people these symptoms can be light and only slightly noticeable if you have been experiencing them for some time. Yet even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks.

Being low in vitamin D can also contribute to what is called Winter Blues. I had suffered from this for years before I realized that I had a vitamin D deficiency. After taking vitamin D for a period of just a few months before the cold weather set in I no longer had that dreaded feeling of winter coming. I also noticed an improvement in my sleep patterns and over all feeling of wellbeing.

If you’re not sure if you are low in vitamin D you can be checked by your doctor. I chose to supplement my diet without being tested simply because I do not get in the sunshine as much as I know I should. Knowing this and responding so positively to taking this vitamin I knew I had made the right decision. It has been such a blessing not to have to suffer through another winter depressed and dreading the season and anxiously awaiting for spring to come back around.

Vitamin D supplementation is easy and there are many health food stores that carry this vital supplement. Talk to your local herbalist or your health practitioner on what kind and how much you should take. Working at my local health food store I see people come in weekly sent by their doctor to start on this important vitamin. Even if you don’t have any noticeable symptoms vitamin D can help prevent future problems.