As Canadians, we’ve all heard of vitamin D and how we don’t get enough of it in the winter. Considering it’s produced from exposure to the sun, it’s easy to see how we become deficient in it during months where we’re mostly inside and when we do go out, we’re fully covered. How much does this affect us though? What does vitamin D do for us?
Vitamin D has many functions in the human body that we know about. One of the most important, during the winter, is aiding our immune system. It has been shown that those who have low vitamin D levels, tend to report an increased occurrence in upper respiratory infections. As well, although due to the novelty of the Covid virus this has not been proven yet, there is evidence indicating that low vitamin D levels may be associated with higher incidences of contracting the virus, as well as an increased severity in symptoms.
Vitamin D can also help with muscle and bone health. Studies suggest that supplementation of Vitamin D helps prevent fractures from occurring as it’s believed to play a part in how the body stores calcium. It’s also believed that it helps to preserve muscle fibers, therefore helping to keep muscle mass, as well as strength, throughout aging. This is evidenced by a decreased risk of falling with supplementation, believed to be from the preservation of strength due to increased levels of vitamin D.
Studies also indicate that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to type 2 diabetes, dementia, cancer and heart disease. When you also include the effects of vitamin D on seasonal affectiveness disorder, the argument to add it to your winter supplements is quite strong.
If you’re looking for an effective and safe vitamin D supplement, ask our Front Desk Staff or a Coach the next time you’re in the gym for a bottle of Vitamin D3 from ATP Labs, our preferred supplement provider. It is produced in Canada, where we have some of the highest supplement producing regulations in the world, thereby making our supplements some of the safest available worldwide.
So start taking vitamin D and enjoy a healthier winter.
