You may not know it, but you could be suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. Covering up when you are outside, especially in the winter, causes you to block the major source of vitamin D in your body, the sun. Using sunblock during summer months also prevents your body from absorbing the correct amount of vitamin D it needs to function properly.

Vitamin D is essential for growth and development as it regulates the functions of over 200 genes in your body. Vitamin D is regulated in your body when your skin is influenced by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or through daily intake of vitamin D supplements.

Back before the 1930’s rickets (severe childhood vitamin D deficiency) affected around 85% of children born in the US and Europe. With the advent of fortified milk and infant formula with vitamin D, it is now an uncommon problem with babies. However, those problems are now affecting elderly people and a small population of younger people who are not conscience about the dangers of not getting enough vitamin D.

Elderly people who spend a lot of time indoors, people who live in northern climates, and people who protect their skin with sunscreen at every given moment when outside are the most likely people to get a vitamin D deficiency. Without taking the right precautions to increase vitamin D intake in at-risk individuals, health complications may occur.

Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can cause minor or extremely major problems, depending on the type of vitamin D you are not receiving. The minor problems that come with a lack of vitamin D include bone pain, muscle weakness, a higher risk of falling and fragility fractures.

Major problems occur when your vitamin D3 is deficient. These problems can include diabetes, depression, obesity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. A lack of vitamin D3 can also cause Alzheimer’s or contribute to the development of breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

Sources of Vitamin D

The sun is the most prevalent source of vitamin D we can find on Earth. It can provide us with up to 90% of our daily vitamin D intake. It is recommended that a person should be exposed to sunlight for 10-30 minutes a day while 40% of their skin is exposed. House and car windows, plus copious amounts of clothes block essential UVB rays, so make sure you are outside and properly exposed to get the vitamin D you need.

Some populations live in latitudes where the UVB light from the sun cannot properly reach humans to produce the right amount of vitamin D in their skin. Taking vitamin D supplements are required to offset the lack of exposure to the sun.

Some foods, including egg yolk, fatty fish, fortified milk, cereal, and margarine are sources of vitamin D, although they don’t contain a lot of vitamin D.

All credit goes to 12 Baskets Nutrition and Health Co.

Need some last minute gifts? Look no further. 12 Baskets has some affordable stocking stuffers for every person in your life.

For the man in your life: ALBA BOTANICA ALOE MINT CREAM SHAVE 227G - $4.95 CAD 

Description

Signature Ingredient: Cooling peppermint and antioxidant-rich green tea refresh the skin as nutrient-rich aloe provides for healthy skin renewal.

Product Description: Enriched with jojoba, vitamin E and organic botanicals, this highly concentrated, soap-free formula delivers a smooth and soothing shave with lasting comfort. Clean, refreshing and familiar you’ll love the tingly, cool finish.

Features and Benefits: This hydro-active cream provides ideal protection against drying and chafing while maximizing absorption of water, to lift and soften unwanted hair for effortless razor glide, thus reducing the risk of nicks, cuts, and irritation. Formulated for men and women. Who should use this product? For all skin types.

For the woman who wants smooth skin: THE SOAP WORKS EMU OIL 120 G - $1.95 CAD

Description

A deep penetrating natural emollient for softening and moisturizing skin. Naturally contains linoleic & oleic fatty acids and Vitamins E & A. For dry, irritated or damaged skin – won’t clog pores.

Emu oil is an excellent moisturizer. We enrich the bar with emu oil rather than convert the oil into soap. That way the emu oil is unchanged and its benefits are not lost or adulterated. We put in as much extra emu oil as the bar can take without becoming too soft to keep its shape. You feel the richness when you grasp the bar.

Direction: Lather, wash and rinse.

For the person with dry, cracked lips: BURT'S BEES TINTED LIP OIL #604 CARAMEL CLOUD 1.18 ML - $9.95 CAD 

Description

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Oil gives your lips a natural kiss of color while hydrating and smoothing your lips. This non-sticky formula leaves a subtle glossy finish in a sheer coral shade. The lightweight texture nourishes lips with coconut and meadowfoam seed oils to keep lips moist, soft and smooth. Apply this lip tint oil on bare lips or over your lipstick. This click and twist pen has a soft brush applicator, making application easy to get dazzling shine and a hint of gorgeous color. This product is made with 100% natural ingredients and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Oil pampers your lips with a luminous shine and a hint of tint.

Direction: To activate the tinted lip oil pen, twist the bottom and click approximately 10-15 times. Apply as needed for natural glowing lips.

For mother and child: AROMAFORCE SWEET ALMOND BASE OIL 250 ML - $8.89 CAD

Description

Sweet almond oil softens skin when itchy.
Recommended for irritations, cracks, eczema and diaper rash.
Can prevent stretch marks.
First pressed sweet almond oil.

Direction: In massage, against itching and inflammations. Sweet almond oil has emollient and softening effects and is indicated for both baby hygiene and delicate and dry skin. When used long-term, it can prevent stretch marks.

All credit goes to 12 Baskets Nutrition and Health Co.