Vitamin D fights depression!

Health Tip:

Vitamin D has many helpful uses for your health, and has recently been found to help combat and prevent the symptoms of depression.

 Deficiencies in Vitamin D can especially be seen in the Winter months, and many people struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD), a ‘nice’ word for depression. It makes sense then that supplementing your diet with Vitamin D can help combat the depression that often comes in the Winter.

Depression is one of the most common problems we see in primary care. Many people don’t realize that their ongoing tiredness is often a result of depression. And yet, its one of those conditions that is often so difficult to understand and treat.

I have noticed though that for many people taking Vitamin D makes a difference in their day to day energy level. Not only that, but, it helps protect against osteoporosis and other conditions. The need for Vitamin D supplementation to our diets is agreed upon most fields of medicine.. So, if you are walking down the grocery aisle this week and can pick up some supplements, Go for it!

Recognizing that being depressed is not a sign of failure is difficult for many people. I think dealing with depression at one time or another is just part of life!. Knowing what triggers our moods and energy level is important for each of us to stay mentally energized.

As I think about depression, I think about the power of prayer in our day to day lives. Research continues to validate the power of prayer to help people combat symptoms of depression, and other medical conditions.  When I think about this, I often have the mental image of my little niece, Abby. She loves to pray outloud, and her sheer joy for prayer spreads to anyone that will join her. Its as if at the age of four she already knows that giving her troubles over to God sets her free from her worries! In fact, if you ask Abby why God made her she will shout “ FOR HIS GLORY!” What a great way to face the day to day joys and struggles, knowing that our days have an eternal purpose.. Like Abby, this will give us the courage to shout this truth no matter what our days may hold!