Could vitamin D help you avoid the H1N1 flu?

If you haven't had your vitamin D levels checked, I highly recommend that you do. I had mine checked last summer and was shocked at how low they were. This was during a time when I was spending about an hour a day outdoors in the sun with no sunscreen on. I purposely did this thinking I was getting an ample amount of the "sunshine vitamin". I also drink 3 to 4 servings of milk daily and figured I was covered.

Turns out I wasn't. And if my levels were THAT low during the summer, I can only imagine what they are during the winter when I spend most of my time indoors. This issue is not isolated to just women, children are also at high risk for being vitamin D deficient. Two studies published online at Pediatrics in August showed that nearly 70% of US children don't get enough vitamin D.

Why should you be concerned about vitamin D and your kids?

1. A review of existing literature shows a correlation between vitamin D and athletic performance.


2. A Medical College of Georgia study presented at the American Heart Association’s2009 annual meeting found that teens with high intakes of vitamin D may have lower overall body fat and lower amounts of abdominal fat.


3. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism conducted at the University of Southern California showed a correlation between low vitamin D levels and stunted growth and weight gain in girls.


4. Recent research suggests a link between vitamin D and increased immunity against the flu virus.

That last study really caught my attention. We are doing everything we can to try and avoid any illness this winter, but especially the swine flu. (That would not be a nice addition to our vacation!!) Little J knows that we use Burt's Bees hand sanitizing spray (all natural and chemical free, of course) often when we are out and about and wash hands as soon as we get home. But adding vitamin D as an additional weapon against illness is a great idea!

The problem was finding a vitamin D supplement that Little J didn't mind taking. When the folks at Wellesse offered to send me a sample of their liquid Vitamin D supplement, I quickly agreed. I loved the idea of a liquid as I could add it to Little J's juice if I needed to. Turns out, I didn't need to. The supplement tastes so good, he enjoys taking it right out of the spoon and loves the natural berry flavor. And since it has no artificial flavors or colors, I feel good about giving it to him. (I even take it myself now.)

If you'd like to give Wellesse's vitamin D supplement a try, Wellesse has provided a $2 off coupon at http://www.wellesse.com/ just for you.