Vitamin D and Sugar Sensitivity

A note following up from the discussion on sugar sensitivity - *Vitamin D actually helps regulate our cells sensitivity to insulin* (i.e. helps us release only the right amount when we ingest sugar), so if you feel like you are really sugar sensitive it might be worth looking at your VitaminD levels.

We have already spoken about Vitamin D in this group but a reminder, during these summer months are you getting 10-20 minutes of sun exposure a day? (when the sun is high in the sky without suncream) - don’t forget if you have darker skin you might need 3-6 x more sun exposure than 20min to be getting enough VitD. Looking outside at London weather today, probably most of us don’t.

Vitamin D also helps support our immune function (think viral/bacterial infections, allergies) + supports gut health (reducing inflammation and ‘leaky gut’ - *IBD/Auto immune people in this group…definitely something to think about*!), and is anti cancer (they have found people severely VitD deficient are 3 x more likely to get stage 3 cancer - obviously so many more things in play with this but worth thinking about). Lastly, you need Vitamin D to regulate Calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood/bones (and vitamin K2 which is why you should take supplements that combine vitamin D3 and K2).

So, get out in the sun (when you can) and VitD rich foods - sun soaked shiitake mushrooms (leave them outside in sun before you eat), or if not vegan - cod liver oil, oily fish (wild salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring), and organic egg yolks. or last resort take a supplement (Vitamin D3 and K2 spray).

Also, VitD is a fat soluble vitamin so you do need some good fats (avocado, olive oil) in the diet, and some Magnesium as it’s is a co-factor in the synthesis of VitD (green leafy veggies). Lastly, dysbiosis (not enough good bacteria in the gut) affects absorption of Vitamin D from food - so already discussed a lot - as always think fibre (prebiotics) and eating the rainbow (probiotics).