Autumn and the Sunshine Vitamin

A U T U M N  

 Autumn in Japanese is  秋（Aki -awe key)

We know autumn is here when the leaves start to change colors, days start to get shorter and you start to reach for your jacket... Autumn jumps out at you with its energy of reds and flamboyant oranges...the colors that excite and create warmth and ambition... One fun thing you can do in autumn is to collect a ton colorful leaves, make a pile and then for no real reason jump into the middle of the pile burying yourself in the leaves... Fun Fun Fun!!! Stay healthy so you can have lots of fun jumping in your pile too :)   


There are a few simple things you can watch out for to stay healthy during autumn as well...

As the days become shorter you tend to spend less time in the great outdoors, your time in the sun decreases leaving the possibility that your vitamin D intake may not be sufficient... 

Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" because it is the only vitamin (D3) that your body can make itself and if you want to get technical... it is a hormone. 

How big of a deal is Vitamin D? 

Let's just say, having a sufficient amount of Vitamin D... your bones will love you!  Vitamin D absorbs calcium and helps to make bones denser and makes them stronger against fractures and soft bone, helps support a healthy immune system, muscle function and helps to keep insulin, calcium and phosphorus levels in balance.
And new research findings seem to show associations between  vitamin D intake and decreases in risk of developing a variety of conditions including cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, certain cancers and diabetes. 


Recommended daily allowance(RDA) is between 600 and 800 (IU -International Units)
Some research shows that even more may be needed daily...  

Ways to get your daily allowance: 

1. Natural Sunlight
2. No Sunscreen
3. Tanning shower (standing tanning bed) 
4. Milk 
5. Egg Yolks, Salmon, Mackerel 

Sunlight:  A lot of your daily requirements can be obtained by sunlight and if you are able to catch the morning rays, you can prime yourself with melatonin that helps you sleep at night and increase the levels of serotonin the "happy hormone", plus breath in fresh air that can always make you a happier camper... 

No Sunscreen: It is better not to use sunscreen etc... during the autumn and winter months especially so you are able to get your needed dose of sunlight everyday. 

Tanning Shower: Those of you that belong to a gym can go to tanning shower（vertical tanning machine)  and soak in the rays for 3 minutes..(you aren't there to tan just to get your Vitamin D dose)    

Milk:   Unpasteurized milk has natural vitamin D in it as well as many other health enhancing nutrients... Pasteurizing milk may destroy some or all of the natural vitamin D so is fortified with Vitamin D.  It is also worth noting that it is much more difficult for the body to use fortified nutrients than the real thing.

Egg Yolks, Salmon and Mackerel: are the foods with the highest amount of vitamin D in it. These foods should be considered for eating especially in the autumn to winter months.   Alaska Wild Salmon is one of the most delicious and and cleanest fish in the world.  

There are supplements that can be taken as well but it is best to consult with a physician before taking Vitamin D supplements...   

*****The most efficient way to ensure your body gets the right amount in the most natural form is for the body to make Vitamin  D itself...

To Your Bari Bari Health,

Robert Scott

R. Scott is an Exercise and Sport Sciences/ Sport Psychology specialist.
University Professor at University in Osaka, Japan
Teaches Master/ＰｈＤ． Courses: Sport Philosophy, Psychology, Pedagogy and Physiology

Ex-Pro Athlete--

Health Specialist-- Motivational Speaker and Trainer to  Professional Athletes and the Masses.

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