Wintertime Fatigue

Question: Why do I get tired every winter?

Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

The body makes vitamin D when it is exposed to the sun, so during the winter we get less of the “sunshine” vitamin. During the colder months, our levels of vitamin D can fall by more than 50 percent in the northern climates. Even in the South, the sun is not as strong in the winter and vitamin D levels can fall.

I recommend checking your vitamin D levels because if they are low, that could be contributing to your fatigue. Vitamin D is also important for bone health because it helps the body absorb calcium. If levels are below 50 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl), supplementing is a must. My experience is that 2,000 to 5,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day is a safe and effective dose for most people.

You can periodically check your levels (known as the 25-hydroxy D3 levels) to ensure you are not taking too much. Adequate levels of vitamin D range from 70 to 100 ng/dl. A good source of vitamin D is Carlson’s cod liver oil (1.5 teaspoons per day) or Bio-D-Mulsion Forte available from Viotron at (800) 437-1298.