All summer long as sun hits our skin, our body transforms the sunlight into vitamin D. Our body stores much of that vitamin D but as we stay indoors during the winter or face the cold outside in hats, scarves, and mittens, our vitamin D levels decline. Low levels of vitamin D may wreak havoc on our brains. Our depression may be aggravated in the winter as a result.

Depression is tough all year round, but might we possibly be struggling more now here in the northern hemisphere because of low vitamin D? Quite possibly.

As with all nutrients, our vitamin D status is so individualized. If we have lighter skin, we tend to make more. If we have more sun exposure, we make more. If we are obese, we need more. If we do not eat foods high in it or fortified with it, we need more.