It’s widely known and a scientific fact that redheads make their own vitamin D, but does that mean that we don’t need it from any other source? The answer is no, redheads still need vitamin D, and here’s why.
The amount of vitamin D that redheads produce isn’t always enough. Depending on the seasons, where you live and your own genetics, you may need more vitamin D than your body is producing. If you’re health conscious and convinced you’re eating healthy enough to get vitamin D, not so fast. According to the Mayo Clinic, few foods contain the vitamin. And according to the National Institutes of Health, the best food sources of vitamin D are fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Milk is a major source of vitamin D, but with many lactose and tolerant, it can be difficult to get vitamin D from this source.
Many redheads stay out of the sun and use as much sun protection as possible and while this is beneficial for our skin, it might mean we are lacking in vitamin D. The same can be said if you live in a climate that doesn’t see a lot of sunshine or spend a lot of time indoors.
Some symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are:
- Being sick or getting infections often
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Bone and back pain
- Bone loss
- Depression
- Hair loss
- Muscle pain
- Weight gain
- Anxiety
The best way to know if you’re lacking vitamin D is to always speak with your doctor. If you are deficient, it’s as easy as taking a vitamin D supplement and increasing your intake of food that contains vitamin D.
LEARN MORE: Click here to listen to the How to be a Redhead podcast: S3, Ep3: Importance of Vitamin D for Redheads or listen directly below:
