Need to Beat the Winter Blues? Up your Vitamin-D!
Ahhh... February. The shorter number of days make it seem like we are so close to spring, yet the cold and windy weather reminds us that we are still so far away. The thought of trudging through at least 3 more weeks of the cold tends to make some people feel a little “blue.” The winter blues, more clinically defined as Seasonal Affective Disorders, tend to affect many Americans by causing symptoms such as mood swings, low energy, and disruptive sleep patterns. According to GNC’s Medical Advisory Board, the reasons we tend to become this way may be due in part to the depletion of our of Vitamin D stores. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to weakened bones, increased risks of fractures, reduced immune function, and even cardiovascular disease. Sometimes referred to as the “sunshine” vitamin, Vitamin D is naturally produced in our bodies when we are exposed to the direct sunshine, therefore making it fairly easy to build up our Vitamin D levels. Additionally, during the time of year when the Sun’s rays aren’t strong enough--October to April in many areas of the country--we need to replace this essential vitamin in an alternative way.
Very few foods naturally contain Vitamin D3, so reaching that daily goal of 1,000 IU’s that many researchers and doctors are now recommending can be difficult, especially during the colder, practically sunless months. Vitamin supplements are the most efficient way to get the recommended daily serving. GNC’s Medical Advisory Board also suggests that choosing the correct form of Vitamin D is important. They say that Vitamin D in the form of D3 most efficiently confers with the benefits of Vitamin D by activating the proper cellular receptors, and when paired with calcium, the D3 form supports better bone health.
At Maramor Chocolates, we are all for the promotion strong bones and happy attitudes, which is why we have taken 500 IU’s of Vitamin D3, paired it with 500mg of calcium, and then combined all of that together with some of our premium dark chocolate to create a creamy, delicious, and vitamin-packed dark chocolate truffle. Eating just one truffle per day gives your body half of what it needs to meet the recommended daily serving during this time of year. The chocolate truffles are also low in calories--only 60 calories per piece. Each box contains 14 truffles, which is a 2 week supply when adding one piece to your daily diet. At www.maramor.com, you can buy a 3-pack of the Maramor Chocolates Dark Chocolate with Calcium and Vitamin D3 and have enough to last you 6 weeks. Who would have though getting your Vitamin D3 in the middle of winter could be so easy and so tasty?
So go ahead--taste a little piece of sunshine. Your attitude--and your taste buds--will thank you.
Sources:
“Vitamin D and Women – Critical Advice for Fracture Prevention”
GNC Medical Advisory Board, February 2010
Add “The Sunshine Vitamin” Vitamin D for Better Health All Year Long
GNC Medical Advisory Board, February 2010
Ahhh... February. The shorter number of days make it seem like we are so close to spring, yet the cold and windy weather reminds us that we are still so far away. The thought of trudging through at least 3 more weeks of the cold tends to make some people feel a little “blue.” The winter blues, more clinically defined as Seasonal Affective Disorders, tend to affect many Americans by causing symptoms such as mood swings, low energy, and disruptive sleep patterns. According to GNC’s Medical Advisory Board, the reasons we tend to become this way may be due in part to the depletion of our of Vitamin D stores. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to weakened bones, increased risks of fractures, reduced immune function, and even cardiovascular disease. Sometimes referred to as the “sunshine” vitamin, Vitamin D is naturally produced in our bodies when we are exposed to the direct sunshine, therefore making it fairly easy to build up our Vitamin D levels. Additionally, during the time of year when the Sun’s rays aren’t strong enough--October to April in many areas of the country--we need to replace this essential vitamin in an alternative way.
Very few foods naturally contain Vitamin D3, so reaching that daily goal of 1,000 IU’s that many researchers and doctors are now recommending can be difficult, especially during the colder, practically sunless months. Vitamin supplements are the most efficient way to get the recommended daily serving. GNC’s Medical Advisory Board also suggests that choosing the correct form of Vitamin D is important. They say that Vitamin D in the form of D3 most efficiently confers with the benefits of Vitamin D by activating the proper cellular receptors, and when paired with calcium, the D3 form supports better bone health.
At Maramor Chocolates, we are all for the promotion strong bones and happy attitudes, which is why we have taken 500 IU’s of Vitamin D3, paired it with 500mg of calcium, and then combined all of that together with some of our premium dark chocolate to create a creamy, delicious, and vitamin-packed dark chocolate truffle. Eating just one truffle per day gives your body half of what it needs to meet the recommended daily serving during this time of year. The chocolate truffles are also low in calories--only 60 calories per piece. Each box contains 14 truffles, which is a 2 week supply when adding one piece to your daily diet. At www.maramor.com, you can buy a 3-pack of the Maramor Chocolates Dark Chocolate with Calcium and Vitamin D3 and have enough to last you 6 weeks. Who would have though getting your Vitamin D3 in the middle of winter could be so easy and so tasty?
So go ahead--taste a little piece of sunshine. Your attitude--and your taste buds--will thank you.
Sources:
“Vitamin D and Women – Critical Advice for Fracture Prevention”
GNC Medical Advisory Board, February 2010
Add “The Sunshine Vitamin” Vitamin D for Better Health All Year Long
GNC Medical Advisory Board, February 2010