Why Vitamin D Helps with Fatigue and Depression: If you experience frequent fatigue or depression when it’s cloudy outside, you are missing vitamin D. Nicknamed the “Sunshine Vitamin,” Vitamin D is actually produced naturally in the body after you expose yourself to sunlight. But because people tend to stay inside a lot due to work, many are lacking sufficient amounts of the vitamin. Living in a northern climate where the sun is less present is also a cause of low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is necessary to help with bone growth, absorbing calcium, and building new cells. It is also thought to prevent serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and boost people’s moods.
History of Vitamin D
Vitamin D was discovered when a researcher named Elmer McCollum tested cod liver oil where vitamin A had been removed. Originally thought that vitamin A was the reason dogs sick with rickets had been cured. However, McCollum’s new experiment in 1922 showed that it was something else. He named it vitamin D because it was the fourth vitamin to be labeled using the letters of the alphabet. A year later, a biochemist was able to increase the presence of vitamin D in foods by using ultraviolet light. He patented the irradiation technique, which was vital in eliminating rickets in humans in the United States. Throughout the 20th century, more discoveries about vitamin D were made, and its connection to sunlight revealed.
Why Vitamin D Helps with Fatigue and Depression: The easiest way to get more Vitamin D is to spend some time in the sun
The easiest way to get more Vitamin D is to spend some time in the sun. Thirty minutes of sun exposure at least twice a week should raise your Vitamin D levels. The problem is you risk getting burned, and even getting skin cancer. Unless you work outside or live in a very sunny climate where just going about your day equals thirty minutes twice a week, sunbathing for vitamin D isn’t a great idea. Luckily, you can get Vitamin D in the form of supplements or certain foods. Vitamin-D heavy foods include canned tuna, beef, cheese, milk, egg yolks, and cod liver oil. Doctors can test for the amount of vitamin D in your system. If you suffer from low energy and feel weak a lot, ask to have a blood test.
