WELLNESS WITH THEODORA

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Summer are you here yet?

Our bodies feel different with each season. Right? My skin for example loves the sea, the sand, and the sun. My body hates indoor air conditioning, heating, and dry, cold temperatures. Let's not even get into the fact that my body and my mind cannot stand the snow and icy climate that is winter on the East Coast of the US. I crave summer, and I like spring for about a week or two and then its too much for my allergies. In fact, the Medittarean Climate in general has always been better for me, than the North American or South African climates. 

Since there is nothing I can do about where I live (right now anyways), shit I have a house, business and family here now and truth be told there are quiet a few things I totally LOVE about living on the East Coast even though I bitch about the weather A LOT.  Instead of being a constant grump about it, I kind of dream of summer and long for the longer days, the humidity and the ability to get some vitamin D that is not in the form of a supplement. In fact, I visualise summer days, and when the weather is absolutely gorgeous, like 65 degrees in January you better believe I am out and about and smiling from ear to ear. 

Now that my rant is over lets talk vitamin D.

Too little Vitamin D in the body is a common problem in the US, it is estimated that about 3 million people suffer from this condition (WEB MD). Some people will have no symptoms while other may be pain in the their muscles, fatigue, getting sick or infected often, bone and back pain, depression, impaired wound healing, low bone density, and hair loss. Now this list of symptons, not only sounds "no bueno" but in extreme cases can lead to a very low quality of life. 

Thankfully, a quick visit to your primary care physician for a VIT D check can solve the issue and they can then prescribe a supplement to suit your needs. Before taking anything don't listen to any bloggers or google information always speak with a physician. You can also check your VIT D levels at home with a vitamin D at home test kit from ww.healthtestexpress.com. I personally would just take advantage of my next physical and have them check my levels but that's just me, you do what you think is best. 

Of course healthy eating as usual is a must and foods that have high levels of vitamin D are:

Cod Liver Oil, Salmon, Tuna, Trout, Ham, Fortified Milk and Orange Juice, Fortified yoghurt, Almond Milk, fortified cereals, Pork Chops, Canned Sardines, Fish Roe, Eggs, Chicken, Beef, Cod and Mushrooms. 

Happy eating! And hang in there, it's almost Spring.