Vitamin D and depression

All summer long as sun hits our skin, our body transforms the sunlight into vitamin D. Our body stores much of that vitamin D but as we stay holed up in the winter or face the cold outside in hats, scarves, and mittens, our vitamin D levels decline. Low levels of vitamin D may wreak havoc on our brains. Our depression may be aggravated in the winter as a result.
Depression is tough all year round, but might we possibly be struggling more now here in the northern hemisphere because of low vitamin D? Quite possibly.
As with all nutrients, our vitamin D status is so individualized. If we have lighter skin, we tend to make more. If we have more sun exposure, we make more. If we are obese, we need more. If we do not eat foods high in it or fortified with it, we need more.
I put a quick video on YouTube about vitamin D and depression; scroll down for links.

Your vitamin D levels
What everyone needs to do is get tested, particularly in the winter. ZRT Labs is the go-to lab for Vitamin D testing and is promoted through two sites:

• Vitamin D Council for $65
• Grassroots Health for $60 plus you fill out an extensive health questionnaire.

The Grassroots Health site is using the questionnaires for a study, but it is extensive and may not be worth that $5 savings except insofar as you are helping to further knowledge of vitamin D.
If you are vitamin D deficient
If your results come back low, you will need to supplement your vitamin D until your levels increase. The Vitamin D Council has a good bit of information to help you start thinking about your levels. It recommends dosage amounts if you are deficient. You can find vitamin D3 supplements in health food stores or take a cod liver oil for its vitamin D content.
Your first step, however, is to get tested. You may be just fine. If not, there is a wealth of information on the Vitamin D Council site.
This post is part of Real Food Wednesday.