“In the cold season… After all, vitamin D is a ‘health medicine’?” – Comedy.com

Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption and bone health and plays an important role in the health of the gastrointestinal tract and heart. It also lowers the risk of some cancers. However, in cold seasons with less sunlight, it is not easy to sufficiently absorb these important essential nutrients.

Mike Ben, assistant professor of family medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in the U.S., said, “The process by which vitamin D is absorbed and converted into a substance that the body can use is mostly accomplished through sunlight. However, in winter, the amount of sunlight is greatly reduced, making it difficult to properly consume vitamin D.” This is from an interview with the American health and medical media ‘MedicalXpress’. He said, “For the body to effectively receive sunlight and absorb vitamin D, it is most effective when the sun is high in the sky. “It is less effective during sunrise and sunset,” he added.

Vitamin D is found in large quantities in tuna, salmon, shrimp, cod liver oil, milk, eggs, and mushrooms. People who avoid these foods may not be getting enough vitamin D through their diet. Of course, exposure to a lot of sunlight can be of great help, but vitamin D deficiency tends to worsen in the fall and especially winter when there is less sunlight.

Typically, adults need 800 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day. This amount is equivalent to about 15 to 30 minutes of direct sunlight. There are many days in the winter when it is so cold that you have to cover your hands and face to keep warm. When this happens, your skin has little or no exposure to sunlight. If you completely cover your hands and face, you will not be able to absorb the same level of vitamin D and UV rays as someone who spends time outdoors in warm weather.

In particular, people who spend a lot of time indoors without windows may need to take over-the-counter vitamin D supplements. Assistant Professor Ben said, “Vitamin D supplements are not 100% absorbed, so it is advisable to take much more than the daily recommended amount (800 IU) (5,000 IU).” Supplements are excreted from the body when consumed in excess.

People who have undergone weight loss surgery such as sleeve gastrectomy may experience a side effect of reduced vitamin D absorption. You need more vitamin D. Additionally, people with cystic fibrosis or poor kidney or liver function also have problems absorbing vitamin D. You should get tested to confirm your condition and consider additional supplements.

Assistant Professor Ben said, “Recent new research shows that vitamin D is important for the function of the heart muscle, which is constantly beating, and may also help lower the risk of various cancers.” He emphasized, “It is a good idea to pay special attention to vitamin D and check your blood vitamin D level through a test.”