It’s that feeling of euphoria after time outdoors, that quiet contentment driving a healthy appetite, a deeper sleep, sparkling eyes, and a rosy glow on the cheeks. That healthy feeling is your body thanking you for letting it do what it was meant to do, live and thrive. 

Skin, our biggest organ, acts as the first gateway to well-being, absorbing the environment we expose it to and setting off a chain of essential reparative and balancing processes. Exposing skin to sunshine stimulates Vitamin D production and makes all this magic possible.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is either ingested as a nutrient from diet or supplements or synthesized in the skin as a hormone, activating as it travels through the body. 

What Does Vitamin D Support?

• Calcium absorption
• Bone mineralization
• Immune system function
• Skin cell growth
• Hair follicle cycling
• Mood regulation

What Health Issues Correspond to Lowered Vitamin D Levels?

• Increased susceptibility to skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dryness, acne, irritation, sensitivity, premature aging, hyperpigmentation  
• Delayed wound healing
• Increased risk of infections
• Hair loss
• Osteoporosis 
• Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety
• Delayed recovery from illness and increased severity of illness (immune system issues)

Who is Impacted By Vitamin D Insufficiency?

• Age
  • As we age there is often less time spent outdoors, reduced skin synthesis, and less robust diet and exercise
• Geographic Location
  • Those living in regions with less year-round sunlight
• Lifestyle
  • Those who spend most of their time indoors, use sunscreen regularly, or wear clothing that covers most of their skin when outdoors
• Obesity
  • The vitamin can have difficulty navigating fat tissue decreasing it’s absorption
• Diet
  • Poor diets lacking in Vitamin D-rich foods

Vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a public health concern especially in the wake of the recent pandemic lockdown which resulted in an increase of sedentary, convenience-based lifestyles. It’s estimated that up to half of the US population have insufficient levels and a quarter are deficient in Vitamin D. 

Sources of Vitamin D

• Sunlight is the best source – recommendations vary, but aim for 10-30 min of midday sun 3-5 times per week
• Diet – add Vitamin D rich foods to your meal plans 
• Consult with a medical professional if taking other medications or supplements Supplements – in regions or seasons of limited sunlight, Vitamin D3 can help bring levels up.
• Take consistently during morning times to align the body’s natural production of the hormone
• Moderate alcohol consumption to avoid impending Vitamin D absorption
• Take these with fatty foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oils to improve absorption
• Maintain magnesium levels through diet or supplements to assist with activation of Vitamin D3 in the body

The pursuit to learn what affects our health can be overwhelming and out of reach at times for many of us juggling all that life demands. The first step to looking and feeling well is adding key information to the arsenal. Here’s to feeling good year-round, building habits from healthy skincare and beyond.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌸