Learn about Vitamin D and ways to incorporate it into your diet

At AVYA, we’re always sourcing the highest quality, nutrient-rich botanicals to balance our science-backed formulas. We’ve experienced the benefits of incorporating Ayurvedic ingredients in all aspects of daily life, from diet to skincare, so we wanted to share some of the benefits of Vitamin D, a nutrient that is key to maintaining a healthy body and glowing skin.

Why is Vitamin D important to your health? 

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that your body needs for vital processes like digestion, nervous system and immune system functions. Its main role in our bodies is to boost calcium absorption to maintain strong bones. Doctors find up to 40% of the U.S. population is Vitamin D deficient. 

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor immune function and increased inflammation which can impact your skin in various ways. Increased inflammation can exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and acne, while decreased immune function may weaken the skin’s protective barrier leading to dryness, premature aging, and increases the possibility of infection. 

There is a lot of speculation in the medical community about how much of this vitamin we actually need, but most medical professionals agree that you shouldn’t exceed 4000IU per day. Always consult with a medical professional before increasing your dietary intake of any vitamin or supplement. Read on for 3 ways to increase your Vitamin D. 

Spend time outdoors to increase your body’s absorption of Vitamin D from the Sun

Natural sunlight is one of the best non-dietary sources of Vitamin D which is why it’s often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”. When exposed to sunlight, our skin produces the version known as D3 which increases cell regeneration and boosts absorption of other vitamins like Vitamin E and Vitamin C. It’s possible to increase your Vitamin D intake with as little as ten minutes of sun exposure per day. Always remember to wear sun protection when spending time outdoors. AVYA’s Day Moisturizer contains sun protection which won’t impede your skin’s ability to reap the benefits of sun-induced Vitamin D production.

Incorporate Skincare products that contain ingredients rich in Vitamin D

Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts the absorption of other Vitamins that are essential for repairing and maintaining healthy skin which makes it a common additive in topical treatments. Many cosmetic skincare products also contain Vitamin-D rich botanicals. AVYA’s Eye Bright Cream contains antioxidant-rich snow mushroom, a great source of Vitamin D that also aids in moisture retention, promotes cell turnover, and increases skin elasticity which helps prevent premature signs of aging. 

Eat more foods that contain Vitamin D

The two most common reasons for Vitamin D deficiency are lack of sunlight and poor diet. Vitamin D comes in two forms in the gut, D2 and D3, and is further modified by our kidneys. A great way to fight Vitamin D deficiency is to introduce more foods into your diet that contain high levels of Vitamin D. Some of these foods include: 

• Mushrooms
• Eggs, particularly the yolks
• Salmon 
• Fortified foods like certain cereals, oatmeals, and orange juice