Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

By Terrance Franklin


In earlier times, one was be challenged to be lacking in Vitamin D. Nowadays, it is assumed that 50% of people aren't getting enough. As a matter of fact, if you can think of another person who gets more sun than you, chances are it could be you!

All fooling aside, vitamin D insufficiency is more and more common which is an issue due to its importance in regulating around 1000 genes. Deficiency has been linked to consequences as diverse as depression to very poor bone health.

In the industrial revolution (plus in several parts of the earth these days) a condition termed rickets that caused deformed bone development in children was alarmingly prevalent, particularly in cities. However, kids of a similar financial background in the country did not suffer. How can one vitamin have an effect on so many functions?

Why Vitamin D should be in your emergency supplies

Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of several nutrients and modulates many hormones in the body. The range of human hormones is really extensive which includes testosterone, estrogen, growth hormones, and serotonin.

Testosterone and growth hormones particularly are essential for muscle recovery which could be a huge issue when bugging out. Serotonin is probably the most significant neurotransmitters for controlling brain function as well as feelings. There is even a concept for seasonal sadness linked to lower vitamin d amounts.

But the most vital function for those who have children is appropriate bone growth. Vitamin D controls the absorption of calcium, amongst other things and deficiency of vitamin D is the primary cause of rickets, a disease which causes permanently deformed growth.

Even for those with no children, the benefits of having healthier bones in a post-apocalyptic world should be obvious. In case you can't move, you will find a difficult time surviving.

Various forms, different sources

Vitamin D is a fat soluble molecule (like vitamin A) which means you can store it if you want to. There are 2 nutritional supplies of Vitamin D. D2, or ergocalciferol is primarily found in plants and D3, or cholecalciferol is primarily found in animal sources. Like vitamin A, the animal source is much more absorbable to the body.

The most effective method to supplement D vitamins, in home and in the field

Vitamin D is not a dietary vitamin in the most stringent sense since it could be synthesized by exposure of the human skin to sun rays. There are many reasons leading into how much exact time you would need to get the proper level including type of skin, latitude, time of the year and weather conditions however I was able to find a nifty calculator to figure out how much you will need.

It is bad news if your doomsday fortress of solitude happens to be a silo, underground complex or cave . But don't worry, as it is quite possible to supplement with vitamin D if essential too. Cold water fish, meats, eggs as well as mushrooms are good sources of vitamin D too.

If you want to use a supplement - D3 is the best with regards to shelf life as well as potency.




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