Vitamin D, otherwise known as nature’s “happy vitamin” is about to bid farewell to Boston until February 2027. Many Bostonians begrudgingly move through the long winters severely deficient in this vitamin essential to balanced mood, energy, immunity and much more.
However, what many don’t realize is that sunshine doesn’t directly correlate with Vitamin D availability. New England’s vitamin D window is severely restricted, with the sun sitting at an angle in Boston (latitude 42.2° N) where UVB rays are too weak to produce pre-vitamin D3 in human skin.
If you thought that standing out in the sun in the middle of November was an answer to your body’s demand for vitamin D, think again.
Vitamin D window in New England
From November 12 through January 31, the sun in Boston sits at an angle (latitude 42.2° N) where UVB rays are too weak to produce pre-vitamin D3 in human skin. UVB rays catalyze vitamin D synthesis in humans, according to the National Institutes of Health. They cannot be absorbed through a window (despite the common assumption they can) and are not powerful enough to produce Vitamin D from November through January in New England—probably when New Englanders most need the vitamin!
And the other 286 days of the year, when there is enough UVB action from the sun to produce previtamin D3 in human skin, the bioavailability is only for a certain time window each day, meaning you need to be outside at a certain time of day, not just when its sunny. However, just because vitamin D isn’t available from November through February in New England, doesn’t mean there aren’t other benefits to getting outdoors!
Luckily, free apps like dMinder make it easy to track Vitamin D availability each day based off of your zip code.
The importance of Vitamin D in humans
Vitamin D didn’t earn its name as the “happy vitamin” accidentally.
Low levels of Vitamin D are linked with reduced mood, irritability, depression, and overall fatigue. Deficiency also shows a correlation with weak immunity, while optimal levels of vitamin D are shown to support bone health, muscles, mood, energy, and even reduce systemic inflammation. There are several other risks involved with low vitamin D, such as increased fibroid growth in women, loss of oral vitality, and disruption of the hair follicle cycle.
How to measure and maintain healthy vitamin D levels
Before you panic about the lack of Vitamin D for over 3 months in Boston (November 12-January 31), a simple blood test will tell you where your levels are. From there, working with your practitioner, you can create a plan for how to maintain or boost levels for optimal function.
The flesh of fatty fish such as salmon, rainbow trout, and sardines is a gold mine for naturally occurring Vitamin D. The vitamin is also abundant in egg yolks, beef liver, and UV-grown mushrooms.
Supplementation is available as well. Make sure to consult your practitioner before supplementing and find a supplement with K2 which prevents calcification in the blood—prolonged high doses of vitamin D can lead to calcium buildup which can result in issues such as kidney stones.
Vitamin D doesn’t have to be complicated, run a blood test to see where you’re at, use the dMinder app to track availability in your zip code, and consider Vitamin D-rich food and supplements if your levels are suboptimal!
