In the winter months, when less sunlight hours are available, it can be difficult to get the requisite amount of vitamin D.
Sadness can be one of the consequences of a vitamin D deficiency.
When people are low in this vitamin they sometimes feel a loss of interest in activities that they used to be motivated to perform, such as work and exercise.
Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to anxiety disorders.
Indeed, people diagnosed with anxiety disorders often have low levels of the vitamin in their bloodstream.
A vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to severe fatigue and poor sleep quality — both of which are clearly associated.
Most people get enough vitamin D during the summer months from their exposure to sunlight.
The body produces vitamin D when sunlight hits the skin.
However, in the winter months, when less sunlight hours are available, it can be difficult to get the requisite amount.
Around one-in-five people are thought to have a vitamin D deficiency.
A deficiency in this vitamin is particularly prevalent among people with darker skin, who do not leave the house or who are pregnant or have problems with absorption.
Vitamin D supplementation is one option for correcting the problem.
Around 10 mcg per day is the dose often recommended.
A change of diet can also help the problem.
Vitamin D is particularly abundant in foods like milk, liver, fatty fish, and egg yolks.
Avoid too much vitamin D
At the other end of the scale, some people take too much vitamin D supplementation.
Signs of very high levels of vitamin D include excessive urination, vomiting, muscle weakness and dehydration.
Too much vitamin D can even lead to kidney stones, loss of appetite, pain and confusion.
It is not possible to get too much vitamin D from sun exposure, so it is almost always taking too many supplements that is to blame.
.
