Health professionals recommend getting our daily dose of vitamin D. But do we know what the doctor means when they say that? How does vitamin D affect our health and fertility? Let’s investigate these issues and find ways to boost your vitamin D.
What is vitamin D?
We hear and see the words "vitamin D" all the time. But what is vitamin D? Our body naturally creates vitamin D when we get sun exposure or eat certain foods. It is important to get the right amount of vitamin D in our bodies. Most people think of vitamin D with it's relation to bone health. Recent research shows that that vitamin D plays a role in many other aspects of our health. This includes diseases like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disease. And it doesn't stop there. Low levels of vitamin D can lead to infertility. Without enough vitamin D, cells do not function properly and neither does the body.
Vitamin D and pregnancy
Studies on humans and animals have examined if there is a link between vitamin D and fertility. The results have all led to the same, alarming conclusion. Vitamin D levels play a vital role in a woman’s fertility. It does not matter if you are trying to conceive naturally or through IVF treatments. A vitamin D deficiency could decrease your chances of getting pregnant.
This is because vitamin D is present in the the ovaries and uterus. The active form of vitamin D, Calcitriol, affects the genes in the cells of these organs. It essentially turns the genes on and off, controlling how they function. This influences the effectiveness of the uterus genes that make estrogen. Without enough estrogen, the embryo implantation process could be unsuccessful.
How to get more vitamin D
Looking for ways to get more vitamin D? Here are a few simple tips to adding more vitamin D into your everyday life.
Get some sun
When your skin is exposed to the sun, the body creates vitamin D. Try to get outside so you can allow your body to naturally do this. We aren’t saying to spend your days roasting in the sun. But getting outdoors every once a while to let you body absorb the sun can be a great way to increase vitamin D levels.
Add it to your diet
While vitamin D isn’t found in many foods, we suggest adding some from the following list to your diet.
- Fatty Fish (Salmon, Tuna, Trout etc.)
- Egg Yolks
- Beef Liver
- Fortified Milk
- Fortified Orange Juice
Take a vitamin D supplement
We understand that not everyone has the time in their schedule to get outside or prepare meals. Many people choose to take a vitamin supplement instead. Check your daily vitamin to see if it includes a dose of vitamin D.
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