The Importance of Vitamin D

With the cold winter months bringing shorter days and considerable darkness, many of us aren’t getting the sunlight we need to be healthy and happy. And with the lack of sunlight comes a lack of vitamin D, which is essential to our health. Here are five of the reasons why our bodies need vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D deficiency could lead to osteoporosis, and often leads to weaker bones at the very least, which could, over time, increase the chances of a break or a fracture.

Vitamin D helps reduce the risk of cancer. Studies have found that having sufficient levels of vitamin D in the body helps reduce the risk of developing some cancers, especially colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

Vitamin D helps reduce the risk of diabetes. Yes, people with sufficient levels of vitamin D in their systems have a decreased risk of developing diabetes, and this is especially the case in young people and in those living in high altitude.

Vitamin D helps protect against heart disease. Given than diabetes and heart disease often go hand in hand, it comes as no surprise that Vitamin D helps protect against heart disease, including high blood pressure and heart failure.

Vitamin D helps improve mood. Studies have shown that vitamin D can not only help improve mood, it can help ease the symptoms of those suffering from depression.

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Slowing It Down: How Slower Eating Can Lead to a Healthier Life

The promise of a new year often bring with it the promise of a new you. For some people that means engaging in new pursuits they’ve often put off for lack of time, for some it means making more time for themselves, and for others it means making a commitment to living healthier and being healthier. When it comes to being healthier, be it through increased exercise or a different diet, lifestyle changes can play a big part in helping us achieve our goals, and one particular lifestyle change that could be of immense benefit is the simple act of eating slowly.

Our brains take time to process the fact that we’ve eaten. If fact some studies have shown that it takes our brains roughly 20 minutes to process that we’re full. More often than not, 20 minutes is already ample time for us to have eaten far too much. Excessive eating not only leads to an immediate feeling of discomfort, but can also lead to several negative long term effects if done regularly. Weight gain is just one of the many potential outcomes of overeating, digestive trouble and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes are just a few other.

Taking our time to eat slowly not only leaves room for dinner table conversation, it also gives our brains the time to catch up and let us know when we've had enough, an essential first step to eating healthier and living healthier.

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