I define the Winter Syndrome as: The diseases caused by the inadequate and prolonged deficiency of vitamin D3 that most of us are or were experiencing. Vitamin D3 acts in three main areas:
• Metabolism
• Immune function
• Sleep
The current recommended blood levels of 30 ng/ml are inadequate. The US government considers this as the amount needed to have acceptable levels of the form of vitamin D3 (calcifediol) in measured blood levels (based on taking the RDA – recommended daily allowance).
The Winter Syndrome results from the body’s mistaken belief that it is winter and that it needs to prepare to hibernate. It equates the low levels of vitamin D3 with shorter days as the main source is from sunlight. It then starts to enact the hibernation mode. Vitamin D3 is a hormone that with low blood levels, causes metabolism to slow, increases fat absorption and increases our appetite for calorie-rich foods.
In the past, food during the winter was much less available. So, many mammals’ bodies, including humans, to prepare for this change, did so by adding more high energy fat. The low vitamin D3 levels functions also to further reduce energy needs by entering a prolonged sleep, or hibernation.
The low levels of vitamin D3 are stressful to the body, and the immune system suffers. Additionally, hibernation is meant to be only a temporary state. The problem for humans is that most of us have enough residual functioning of this system that prolonged low blood levels of vitamin D3 results in us becoming ill, or, suffering The Winter Syndrome.
This continued stress results in acceleration of aging from:
• Weight gain
• Suppressed immune system
• Inadequate deep restorative sleep
The Winter Syndrome is essentially every disease that affects us in the 21st century. Think obesity, sleep apnea and influenza, to name just a small fraction of the total which I will address in future posts and in my soon-to-be-published book, Optimal Dose: Restore Your Health With The Power of Vitamin D3.
*The information posted above is for educational purposes only. Always check with your doctor before initiating any changes in your medical treatment. If you do not, then The Two-Minute Health Fact, Dr. Judson Somerville, nor The Optimal Dose is responsible!
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