More energy during the winter months
Vitamin D activates the immune system
Winter, with its cold and dark days, is a depressing time of year for many people. Sunlight not only helps combat low mood, but is also the most important catalyst for the body's own production of the "sunshine hormone," vitamin D.
During the winter months, the sun often shines for only a few hours in our latitudes, and its low angle also means that the sun's rays are too shallow to sufficiently stimulate vitamin D production. Therefore, especially towards the end of winter, a large proportion of Germans suffer from a vitamin D deficiency , which can lead to side effects such as fatigue, mood swings, cold-like symptoms, and chronic illnesses. This can cause serious health problems, particularly for people over 50 or for pregnant women.
Vitamin D activates the immune system
It is generally known that vitamin D is of great importance for bone health . This is because it is needed both for calcium absorption in the intestines and for bone formation.
It also promotes muscle function .
Furthermore, vitamin D supports the immune system by activating important immune cells, the so-called "killer cells", and apparently helps to reduce inflammatory processes.
What should be taken into account in winter?
Vitamin D levels above 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood are considered ideal, while levels below 20 nanograms indicate a deficiency. In this case, a daily intake of 1,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D, equivalent to 25 micrograms, is recommended.
Due to the lower intensity and duration of UV-B rays , there is a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency in winter than in the summer months. However, you can ensure sufficient vitamin D intake with the following measures:
- Go outside for at least 30 minutes when the weather is good.
- If a deficiency is present, taking dietary supplements is recommended. For example, in the form of drops or capsules.
- It is also advisable to adjust your diet to include more frequent consumption of certain foods with a higher vitamin D content . Vitamin D is found primarily in animal products such as milk, salmon, and eggs.
Meeting your vitamin D needs with dietary supplements
In winter, it is almost impossible to adequately meet vitamin D requirements through sunlight and daily diet. In such cases, specific dietary supplements with appropriate ingredients offer a sensible solution, such as oxano® sport capsules according to Müller-Wohlfahrt . These contain not only vitamin D but also zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins, which support the immune system.
Reference: eternalcreative, AntonioGuillem
