Vitamin D & Your Nervous System

It should come as no surprise to you that vitamin D plays a huge role in your body, and specifically your nervous system. As the days get longer, and the sunshine is more popular than cloudy days, now is a great time to start planning on how you will get it. At Absolute Wellness Center, we love to see you make changes in your lifestyle, diet, and habits. While this often starts with regular chiropractic care at the Lake of the Ozarks, it’s followed up by pursuing health in many other avenues! Here are a few things you need to know about vitamin D, as well as some suggestions for how to get it.


Do You Need Vitamin D?

Your body MUST have vitamin D if it is going to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. Vitamin D is also important for other body functions, and a deficiency can be linked to diseases like breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, depression, and weight gain (plus many more).

One interesting thing about vitamin D is that your body can actually make it by itself, but ONLY after skin exposure to sunlight. Lighter skin also absorbs more than darker skin, and sunscreen is prone to blocking the sunlight that you need. This doesn’t mean you go outside for lengthy amounts of time, during the heat of the day without protection. It does mean that you plan timely outings where you can absorb some rays without the risk of severe sunburn. In fact, just thirty minutes of sun exposure to the face, legs, or back at least twice a week should provide plenty of vitamin D.

What Foods Contain Vitamin D

For many people, especially during winter months, it’s just not possible to get enough sunlight. This is where it becomes necessary to supplement your diet through whole foods or potentially supplements. Here are a few foods that are high in Vitamin D that you can include in your diet:

  • Wild-caught salmon
  • Mackerel
  • Mushrooms (exposed to ultraviolet light increases vitamin D)
  • Tuna
  • Sardines
  • Milk or yogurt
  • Beef Liver
  • Egg yolks
  • Cheese

There are many foods that are fortified with vitamin D as well, like soy milk, almond milk, orange juice, soy yogurt, and even ready-to-eat cereals.

What Does This Mean For Your Nervous System?

While it has been obvious proof that vitamin D helps your bones, does it really help your nervous system? When all areas of your body are working as they should, it’s no surprise that they are helping each other. However, there are studies that have linked vitamin d to a number of functions throughout your body, including the workings of your brain. Robert J. Przybelski (a doctor and research scientist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health) stated “We know there are receptors for vitamin D throughout the central nervous system and in the hippocampus. We also know vitamin D activates and deactivates enzymes in the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid that are involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and nerve growth.”

Other studies also showed that vitamin D protects neurons and reduces inflammation (a HUGE factor in chronic pain and disease).


Dose Up On Your D

These beautiful spring days are just beckoning for you to come out and enjoy them. Even if just two times a week, take time to kick back, enjoy the rays, and soak up that vitamin d. Your body will thank you for it! In the meantime, if you are ready to take the next step in your health journey and you want to learn more about your nervous system, Absolute Wellness Center is here to help. We specialize in neurologically based chiropractic at the Lake of the Ozarks, which means that every adjustment and every treatment we offer helps to aid in healing your nervous system. Summer 2019 is the time to meet your health goals, and we want to partner alongside you and join you on the journey. Give us a call today to schedule your first appointment!



Absolute Wellness Center Inc
4203 E US Hwy 54
Linn Creek, MO 65052
573-346-3777
Location: Linn Creek, MO 65052, USA

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