The Unexpected Benefits of Vitamin D

Posted: June 10, 2024 | By: Shanon Peckham

Feeling a sudden burst of energy and happiness as the good weather rolls in? Us too! You can thank the sun for that extra pep in your step. Every winter, when we’re tucked away under the blankets or hiding out from the chilly weather indoors, everyone’s vitamin D levels take a hit. Most of us don’t get the sunlight our bodies need to synthesize this essential vitamin.^1,2 This can make us feel sluggish and moody until the sun comes back out.

Sunshine really does make the blues go away!

Seasonal slump aside, if you’re chronically online, indoors, or living somewhere where the sun doesn’t break through the clouds much (we’re looking at you, Pacific Northwest!), you may be at higher risk of developing a deficiency in the long term. If you want to feel your best in 2024 and beyond, mentally and physically, you’ll want to make sure you have this vitamin handy.

Here are some reasons why getting enough Vitamin D is super important for your physical health, energy levels, and mood:

1 Keeps bones & teeth strong

If you grew up in the U.S., you’ve probably been told to “drink your milk” a million times. Thanks to that mom or auntie who always pestered you, you know all about how cow’s milk, which is packed with calcium and additionally fortified with vitamin D, can help you maintain strong bones and teeth.^3,4 Over the long term, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to uncomfortable and risky bone conditions like osteoporosis or rickets,⁵ which you don’t want to mess with at any age. In addition to getting vitamin D through a healthy, balanced diet, we recommend taking a Vitamin D3 supplement, which is doctor-recommended and may be more effective than other forms of the vitamin.⁶

2 Supports muscles

Your muscles will thank you for not skipping out on vitamin D! Research shows that a deficiency can cause muscle pain and cramps,^5,7 which will really put a damper on your summer plans and make it hard to get motivated to stay active. It’s also bad news for anyone who wants to build muscle through strength training. Basically, the more vitamin D you get, the stronger your muscles and the faster they’ll grow (which can also help protect you from other injuries, like fractures and strains).^8,9

3 Boosts Mental Health & Mood

As we alluded to earlier, it turns out there’s a connection between your vitamin D intake and your mood.¹⁰ Though it hasn’t been proven to directly treat mental health conditions, recent research suggests it may help regulate mood and emotions, especially in those who have depression and deficiency.^11,12Other experts have confirmed that low levels of this vitamin can exacerbate negative emotions and increase the risk of depression.⁵ So, vitamin D may not be a cure-all for bad days and ongoing mental health issues, but keeping your levels up can prevent deficiencies and help you feel your best.

4 Promotes a Healthy Heart & Circulation

Outside of prioritizing a healthy diet and regular exercise, good nutritional supplementation is the best way to ensure a healthy heart and circulation. Vitamin D can support your circulatory system by helping to regulate your blood flow and keeping your blood vessels in good shape.¹³ It may also reduce risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure,⁵ as well as inflammation caused by oxidative stress.¹⁴ A deficiency, on the other hand, can lead to hard arteries and blood vessels, increasing your risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health conditions.¹³ We really can’t preach enough about the protective qualities of this vitamin!

5 Metabolism Regulation

If you want to maintain a healthy weight, definitely keep this vitamin handy. It plays an important role in digestion, helping with calcium absorption and regulating blood sugar levels.⁵ Interestingly, there’s also a link between weight loss and vitamin D. According to research, maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D may help you lose more weight, decrease body fat, and reduce weight gain.^15,16,17 Those who are obese or overweight will need additional vitamin D, both during and after losing weight, to maintain an optimal level.¹⁸

How to get more vitamin D

Even with daily walks in the sun and a vitamin-rich diet, many still don’t get the vitamin D they need. Certain medications, for example, can strip vitamin D out of the body over time, while those with darker skin make less vitamin D naturally, even with plenty of sunlight.⁵ Those who struggle with obesity, genetic predispositions, and other health conditions may also not be able to maintain healthy vitamin levels.^5,19That’s where supplementation comes in.

With a quarter⁵ to nearly half²⁰ of the U.S. population struggling with a vitamin D deficiency, it’s worth checking to see if you’re in need of this vitamin yourself. It’s never a bad time to pursue better health!

Here are some vitamin D products for your consideration:

Ultimate™ Vitamin D3 – Vitamin D3, Vitamin K, and Calcium in capsule form.

Citri-D™ Vitamin D3 Spray – Vitamin D3 as a tasty spray!

Beyond Osteo-FX™ – Vitamin D and other bone-supporting nutrients in liquid or powder form.

ProJoba Pollen Burst™ – An all-natural energy drink with Vitamin D and other vitamins. Choose from a variety of flavors!

Before you Start

Vitamin D helps our bodies in many wonderful ways, but taking too much of this vitamin can actually be damaging.⁵ Vitamin D supplements shouldn’t be treated as a cure and supplementation may not work well for everyone. Before you start taking vitamin D, consult your healthcare professional. Together, you can discuss your health concerns and create a supplementation plan that works for your body.