Can You Prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder with A Vitamin?
Low levels of Vitamin D can contribute to symptoms of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
If you tend to get into low moods, and particularly in the cold winter months, this might be why.
Vitamin D (also known as “calciferol”) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Naturally we get Vitamin D in small quantities from the food we eat (like cod liver oil, trout, sockeye salmon and mushrooms). It is also produced within the body when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger the vitamin production. But, living in North America, where winter days are short and we have layers of clothing on to face the cold, we don’t get as much Vitamin D – and our levels can get quite low.
Deficiency in Vitamin D can contribute to several health conditions. For people with depressive tendencies, it’s particularly crucial to use a vitamin supplement to ensure your levels are adequate and remain that way throughout the winter months.
The recommended dosage for individuals ages 14-70, with normal Vitamin D serum levels, is to take 1000IU per day. However, if you aren’t sure if your levels are normal, the best thing to do is to get it tested. Ask your Family Doctor or Naturopathic Doctor to send you for a blood test. If your results are low, you will need to take more then the general recommended dosage and the dose will be determined by your practitioner. It may take weeks to months to get your levels back to normal, so start early this fall in preparation for the upcoming winter months.
