Why Vitamin D Matters More in Winter
This matters because sunlight is one of the main ways the body produces vitamin D. While vitamin D is often associated with bones and calcium, it also plays an important role in muscle function, immune system health, skin health and brain health.
During winter, vitamin D levels can naturally change with the seasons, especially when we are spending less time outside or covering up more in the colder weather.
What does vitamin D actually do?
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and supports bone strength, but its role extends further than that. It is also involved in immune function and general wellbeing.
For some people, low vitamin D may contribute to symptoms such as tiredness, muscle weakness or mild bone pain. However, vitamin D deficiency can also be present without obvious symptoms, which is why testing can be helpful when there are risk factors or clinical signs.
Vitamin D may be one part of the picture when someone is feeling run down, flat, slow to recover or more vulnerable through winter. Of course, these symptoms can have many causes, including stress, poor sleep, low iron, thyroid changes, gut issues, inflammation or hormonal shifts.
That is why it is often better to test rather than guess.
Why winter can increase the risk of low vitamin D
In Australia, we need to balance sun exposure carefully. Some sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, but too much UV exposure increases the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
In winter, however, many people get less incidental sunlight. Shorter days, colder weather, indoor work, covering up, darker skin, ageing, certain health conditions and some medications can all have an influence on your vitamin D.
For people who are already depleted, inflamed, stressed or frequently unwell, checking vitamin D may be a useful part of a broader winter health assessment.
Should everyone take vitamin D?
Not necessarily.
Vitamin D supplementation can be helpful when levels are low or when there are clear risk factors, but more is not always better. Excessive vitamin D intake, usually from high-dose supplements, can cause toxicity and may lead to elevated calcium levels and other health complications.
This is why getting the right advice from qualified health practitioners really matters. The internet can be a great resource and it can also be a place that is difficult to discern what is useful information and what is an expensive detour from what's real and really works!
Rather than taking supplements blindly, our experienced practitioners can help you understand whether testing is appropriate, what your results mean, and what form and dose of vitamin D may be most suitable for your body.
Getting your vitamin D checked at PNMC
At Perth Natural Medical Clinic, Lucia Ferguson, our Nurse Practitioner, with her integrative approach will look at all the factors contributing to your current health status, and can order pathology where appropriate, including vitamin D testing when clinically indicated.
Many pathology tests are eligible for Medicare rebates, and vitamin D testing may be Medicare-rebated when specific Medicare criteria are met. These criteria include certain signs, symptoms, risk factors or existing health conditions.
You can also book with one of our naturopaths to discuss nutrient support more broadly. Vitamin D does not work in isolation, and your immune resilience may also be influenced by iron, B12, zinc, vitamin C, gut health, sleep, stress, inflammation and hormonal changes.
If you have been feeling unusually tired, low, achy, run down or slow to recover this winter, vitamin D may be worth checking as part of a bigger picture.
Book a winter nutrient check
Book with Lucia to discuss pathology testing, or make an appointment with one of our naturopaths, Sam Botica, Eddie Enever, Lesley Oakes or Randa Majrouh for individualised winter immune and nutrient support.
Call PNMC on 08 9328 9233 to book your appointment.
You may also like to read our related articles on immune resilience and informed flu season support.