Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Take Your Vitamins

I DRAG myself out of bed every morning. Barely able to shake off the groggies. My mind EMPTY, VOID, and tired.

At work the ideas will not come. This is a bit of a hindrance since I'm a designer and ideas are kinda my stock in trade. I'm relieved when I have tedious, repetitious tasks to do rather than "coming up with something," cuz peeps, I got nothing.

I get home from work and the thought of folding a load of laundry or emptying the dishwasher makes me want to cry. By 8:00 I'm wanting to be asleep.

What's wrong with me?

Vitamin D deficiency!

Who knew?
Check out my bun reading. Nice buns!
Can you see the silver lining on this side effect warning? How many women will spot it like 'that'?
Here are a few facts:

Depression – According to scientist, depression is the result of the lack of vitamin D. They argue that because of urbanization, the sunlight can’t adequately reach the skin, reducing thus the 25(OH) level in the body, causing depression. It has been also discovered that a great number of people suffer from seasonal affective disorder during the winter due to insufficient exposure to direct sunlight. The parathyroid hormone is the one causing the vitamin D deficiency symptom – depression.

Hyperparathyroidism – Results from hypocalcemia, which is a blood condition with unusually low vitamin D level, resulting in hyperparathyroidism.

Fatigue – According to old remedies, sunshine and fresh air are essential for good health. The absence of vitamin D synthesis in the morning can result in fatigue.

Obesity – Vitamin D deficiency is frequently linked to obesity, as the insufficient level of vitamin D holds back the production of hormone leptin, which regulates the fat in the body. Inadequate exposure to sunlight disrupts the normal function of the body, determining the individual to eat more than it is necessary for the body.
http://www.vitaminddeficiencyguide.com/

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency
You don't consume the recommended levels of the vitamin over time. This is likely if you follow a strict vegetarian diet, because most of the natural sources are animal-based, including fish and fish oils, egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.

Your exposure to sunlight is limited. Because the body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, you may be at risk of deficiency if you are homebound, live in northern latitudes, wear long robes or head coverings for religious reasons, or have an occupation that prevents sun exposure.

You have dark skin. The pigment melanin reduces the skin's ability to make vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure. Some studies show that older adults with darker skin are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Your kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form. As people age their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form, thus increasing their risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Your digestive tract cannot adequately absorb vitamin D. Certain medical problems, including Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, can affect your intestine's ability to absorb vitamin D from the food you eat.

You are obese. Vitamin D is extracted from the blood by fat cells, altering its release into the circulation. People with a body mass index of 30 or greater often have low blood levels of vitamin D.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-deficiency

I'm scratching my head a bit.

Yes, I live in a northern region. And yes, I work indoors during the day. And yes, I'm older. And yes, I'm chubby.

But I eat red meat and eggs, am not afraid of the sun, do not have dark skin, and have been supplementing Vit D for quite a long while. And I drive a convertible. Granted, there hasn't been any SUN this spring so far, but is that my fault? :)

But, of course, the Vit D I've been taking, and the Vit D prescribed to me by my doctor are the wrong type of Vit D. SIGH!

Lots of questions have been answered for me, but I have millions more.

Fatigue is a weird thing. You feel like it's not real so you push yourself to "get over it" and when you can't, you think, "Oh tomorrow, I'll feel better and get on those projects." But tomorrow you feel maybe a bit worse.

But today I feel better just in the knowing.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I get a bit fatigued too... for me I think it's too many carbs... and then I crash and feel tired. Inactivity is also a culprit.

Glad you are figuring our your reasons for fatigue too... No one likes to feel like a slug.

Di

Missy said...

So you're taking D3 now, yes? Because that D2 is worthless stuff.

I'm pretty sure my Crohn's flare a couple of years ago was partially due to D deficiency. Yes, I lived in Florida, but I was working nights and stayed in during the day. I had no tan at all. Nowadays, I'm nicely tanned and feel much better.

Ms. A said...

Well thank goodness you found out something! I take D3, but it doesn't seem to do much good. Then, again... I have no plans to stop taking it, afraid I would be worse. Feel better, Deborah. I miss you!

TILTE said...

i'm glad you were able to figure out the problem. it's always frustrating when you know something's not right, but the tests all come back "healthy".

So. Cal. Gal said...

Have you had your thyroid checked? I know someone who was fatigued and was diagnosed with a thyroid deficiency.

But I'm glad you found something that hopefully helps! And weight loss as a side effect? That can't be all bad. ; )

T said...

This isn't like you, D. So yes, you likely are dealing with deficiencies. Vitamin D? Likely. Wish I could wiggle my nose and poof you here with me this week (Marco Island) where the sun and energies abound. Hope you get to feeling back to yourself very soon. Really big hugs.

Linnea said...

Understand that!! Not to mention this year has severely been lacking in sunshine!! Take those D-3's and want to wish you a Happy Healthy Birthday!!

Marnie said...

I'm sorry you are feeling so tired, but I'm glad that you are getting answers. That's half the battle. Vitamin D is so important,and unfortunately it's easy to take the wrong suppliments.

Whenever you can, go outside. You will get enough Vitamin D in the summer just by being outside for 30-6o minutes a day. I was told by a Naturalpath that your body banks your vitamin D for the winter too.

Email me if you would like the link to the flaxseed hairgel. I just sent it to someone the other day. xo

silvergirl said...

i can so relate to this
last year i was told my vit d levels were beyond low
i started taking the darn vitamins and wow... what a difference
i didn't even know how pathetic i had really been feeling
here's to vit d
brett

deb-oh-rah said...

Have you looked into getting a light box, or the cheaper alternative of getting full spectrum lightbulbs? Maybe for your office? I'm thinking about it -- can't hurt, right?

Sandra said...

Ok, good to know. I've been feeling the same way...I was blaming it on the shit weather we've been having here in Winnipeg. And I don't drive a convertible. I do think that would make me feel a wee bit better though.
Oh, I was sent info about magnesium deficiency by a reader. It was very interesting...of course, I'm still not taking magnesium supplements either. I just keep blaming everythign on the weather.

Alexandra said...

I'm SO glad I came here today.

For the past month, I have been feeling so fatigues...JUST DYING ON MY FEET.

I'm going to get this checked out: we don't eat eggs, cheese, or beef AND we aren't exactly florida sunny here in Wisconsin.

THANK YOU!

Talk about synchronicity.

ANd what doyou mean by "wrong kind of VIT D."

Derek said...

I tried a lot of vitamin d supplements but isn't organic foods supplements like fish oil the best?