Ever go through a particularly stubborn “blah” spell? You know, those times when you don’t feel motivated enough to get out of bed, but, for the life of you, you can’t figure out why?

While those bouts of feeling uninspired might have to do with cloudy weather or the all-too-strong desire to avoid stressful work days, when everything feels like it should be going well and it’s not, it’s time that you look at the problem from a different angle.

Take vitamin deficiency, for instance. According to a long-term study conducted by the federal government in its National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an estimated three-quarters of American adults do not get the vitamin D that they need. This is a particularly troublesome finding, considering vitamin D should be an integral part of each and every person’s healthy diet.

In case you’re not up on your knowledge of vitamins, vitamin D is the one that helps the body absorb calcium, an important nutrient that keeps bones strong and healthy, especially as you age.

In addition to healthy bones, studies suggest that vitamin D might also play an essential role in bolstering the immune system, which can lead to less time being sick and more robust muscle function.

And, while research is still in its early phases, preliminary studies show that getting enough of the vitamin could help prevent colon, prostate, and breast cancers, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Yep, this is NOT a vitamin that you can just skimp on, folks. Strong bones, muscles, and immune systems are the perfect recipe for long lives!

Ways to get more vitamin D in your diet

So, how do you know if you aren’t getting the vitamin D that you need? While there’s no surefire way of telling whether or not you’re deficient without first getting tested by your doctor, there are some signs that shouldn’t be ignored, namely lack of energy, general malaise, bone/muscle pain, and hair loss, just to name a few.

In order to introduce more of this essential vitamin in your diet, you will first need to closely examine your current lifestyle. Are you eating enough healthy fish, such as tuna, salmon, swordfish, and cod? Are you drinking milk and orange juice, or eating yogurt that is fortified with vitamin D? Are you getting enough eggs in your diet?

Now, on to the big question: Are you getting enough sunshine? It may sound contradictory to what constitutes “good health,” considering the risks associated with skin cancer these days, but natural sunlight is still the best way to get your daily dose of vitamin D. How easy is that?!

To learn about the symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency, as well as what can happen to kiddos who don’t get enough of the vitamin, be sure to watch the video below. Time to pay more attention to what you are—or you aren’t! —putting into your body.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic of vitamin D. Have you ever been diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency? If so, what did your doctor suggest you do to remedy the problem? How do you ensure that you are getting enough of your daily nutrients?

Sources:
Scientific American
Cleveland Clinic
National Institutes of Health