“Sun Vitamin”: How to Get Enough Without Harming Your Body?

26th August 2024

2 minutes read

"Sun Vitamin": How to Get Enough Without Harming Your Body?

Experts assert that a deficiency in vitamin D, also known as the “sun vitamin,” can lead to various health risks and complications, including bone pain, fatigue, and persistent exhaustion. This makes it crucial to seek natural alternatives to ensure sufficient intake of this vital vitamin.

Dr. Vera Matta, a therapeutic nutrition specialist, explains that to avoid summer sun exposure and its effects on the skin, it’s important to consume foods rich in fats, particularly fish, as well as animal liver and red meat, which contain high levels of this type of vitamin.

She also emphasized the importance of reducing smoking rates and consuming foods rich in Omega-3, which help to maintain vitamin D levels in the body for longer periods. She stressed the necessity of engaging in physical activities to maintain muscle mass, which helps stimulate the body to preserve its vitamin D stores.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wafaa Ayesh, another therapeutic nutrition consultant, stated that avoiding sun exposure during summer leads to a decline in the body’s vitamin D levels.

She explained that one of the main symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency is persistent fatigue, even after getting enough sleep, along with bone and joint pain, particularly in the lower back, which can lead to difficulty performing daily activities or feeling quickly exhausted when exercising.

Other symptoms include mood disturbances, making a person more prone to depression and anxiety, as vitamin D plays a role in bone and muscle health as well as mental well-being.

Studies have also shown that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to frequent occurrences of illnesses such as colds and the flu, due to its role in boosting the immune system.

Ayesh noted that “some research suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to severe hair loss, and it can cause other risks, such as osteoporosis, where the body becomes unable to absorb enough calcium, increasing the risk of fractures and possibly leading to rickets in children.”

She warned that some studies have pointed out that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and nervous system problems, including a higher risk of multiple sclerosis.

She stressed the importance of ensuring adequate intake of vitamin D, whether through moderate sun exposure, consuming vitamin D-rich foods, or through supplements if necessary.

There are natural sources of vitamin D as alternatives to sun exposure, given the growing warnings about the risks of excessive sun exposure, especially with the increased risk of skin cancer.

These sources include consuming foods rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), which contain high amounts of this vitamin, and liver, particularly beef liver, which is one of the good sources of vitamin D.