We Have Our Health Priorities All Wrong
When the new QLD Chief Health Officer makes a priority in health that is not…
Vitamin D is different from other vitamins because our bodies can make most of what we need with enough exposure to sunlight. Australia is renowned for its sunny weather and outdoorsy, beach-loving lifestyle, yet research says that 23% – or 1 in 4 – of Australians are deficient in vitamin D. So, why is this? And why is vitamin D important for our health?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone that helps your body absorb the calcium required to maintain bone and muscle health. It also supports the immune and digestive system – without it, viruses, bacteria and parasites can take hold and we may become susceptible to allergies and autoimmune disorders.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t get the amount of vitamin D our body needs. Here are some of the possible reasons why:
Common Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency:
How Do You Know If You’re Deficient in Vitamin D?
Most people don’t realise that they are deficient, because the symptoms are usually subtle, even if they are having a significant negative effect on your quality of life. However, if you tick a few of the symptoms below, it might be a good idea to have your GP perform a blood test for you to identify whether you have a vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency signs include:
How Much Vitamin D Do We Need to Prevent These Symptoms?
The recommended daily intake is usually around 400-800 IU (international unit), but many experts say you should get even more than that. Correcting a vitamin D deficiency doesn’t have to be hard. You can begin by increasing your sun exposure and incorporating more of the following vitamin D rich foods.
Top 10 Vitamin D Rich Foods:
Fatty seafood such as –
Sardines
100g = 175 IU (44% DV (daily value))
Salmon
100g = 511 IU (128% DV)
Mackerel
100g = 400 IU (100% DV)
Tuna
100g = 93 IU (23% DV)
Oysters
100g = 320 IU (80% DV)
Cod liver oil
1 tsp = 440 IU (100% DV)
Cow’s milk
120g = 98 IU (16% DV)
Eggs
1 large = 41 IU (10% DV)
Mushrooms
Mushrooms when exposed to ultraviolet light have the capacity to produce vitamin D
1 cup = up to 150 – 2300 IU (for some UV-treated varieties)
Liver
100g = 20-30 IU (5-6% DV)
Vitamin D, Sleep and Sunshine
There’s no more abundant source of vitamin D than the sun. It promotes synthesis of the vitamin from cholesterol in the skin. A sensible amount of sun will help give your body the boost it needs to maintain good health. We recommend getting 15-20 minutes daily.
Research has indicated that vitamin D levels also influence both sleep quality and sleep quantity. Unfortunately, some research has suggested that sleep disorders have reached epidemic proportions because so many people are deficient. Read the blog from Changing Habits ‘Low Vitamin D May Not Be About Day Light, But Rather About Darkness’ for more information.
Getting adequate sunshine daily and eating enough of these vitamin D rich foods is a great way to top up your levels of this important nutrient, naturally.
At The Nutrition Academy you will learn so much more about essential vitamins in our Introduction to Nutrition and Functional Nutrition courses.
References
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Vanilla flavour is delicious, and an iconic element of many classic Australian bakes (vanilla slice, anyone?), however as vanilla becomes more expensive and harder to cultivate, many companies are turning to fake (and natural is included in that) vanilla to keep costs low. Do you know how to identify flavour vs flavourings?
We`re working with Changing Habits Farm to bring this amazing opportunity to you, including our life-changing Functional Nutrition Essentials course.
What’s included:
✨ 2 nights at @thecattlemanscottage at The Changing Habits Farm
✨A private farm tour with Brogan, head farmer at the @changinghabitsfarm
✨A produce box from the farm during your stay
✨Functional Nutrition Essentials course valued at $2,000
✨ @foragedforyou_ blends: Mothers Blend, Zinc & Magnesium
✨ @glasswholefoods : collagen, gelatin, dreamy blend, immunity wishes, and mountain greens
The retreat itself will be transformative: three days on the farm, nourishing food, movement, workshops, connection, and space to reset your mind, body, and spirit. 🌿
Book your ticket now to enter. Click the link in bio or head to www.changinghabitsfarm.com to secure your ticket!
If you`re a graduate of The Nutrition Academy who has successfully started your own business, big or small, we want to hear about it! Shoot us an email or a DM and let us know all about it. We love to share the success of our community to lift everyone`s spirits and to answer the question, `what else is possible?`.
Cyndi has been a major advocate for looking beyond marketing terms like low fat, low calorie, or high protein, and skipping the `nutrition` label in favour of reading the ingredients list: doing so will give you insight into how the food will actually impact your body, as food carries information to your body.
It`s amazing how much insight we can get into the human body and how it can open our eyes to the impacts of diet and lifestyle on wellbeing.
Part of what makes The Nutrition Academy so special is how hard we work WITH our students to give them the best experience possible and to help them succeed. How have we helped you succeed at The Nutrition Academy?
Eggs are a great option for people looking to up their problem, snack smartly or tide their hungry bellies over until dinner. Boiled eggs are a great option for school lunches, too!
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Can you believe it`s as simple as getting out into the sun, breathing fresh air, drinking clean, filtered water and eating natural foods? Forget pills, rigid routines, hour-long HIIT sessions, and bingeing superfoods. Just follow the fundamentals for good health.
Finished your meal but still hungry? Give leptin thirty minutes to work its magic before you decide to keep eating.
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