Mar 17, 2007

Heading South For The Winter?

A new report I read this morning talks about how residents in Seattle may be at extra risk of not getting enough Vitamin D in the winter due to lack of sunlight. However, it was then pointed out that just about anyone who resides above the 35 degree of latitude line falls into the broadest category of those who are not getting enough sun exposure.

The 35th latitude runs across the southern 1/3 of the US, which really means that science has just discovered that the bulk of the US isn't getting enough Vitamin D for about half of the calendar year. So, the conundrum becomes, do you take supplements, put in special light bulbs or travel in winter?

This year, without any info on Vitamin D, I put in a full-spectrum bulb above my computer desk. It was just around the winter solstice and it just seemed way to dark and depressing to me. I had a lamp near my desk and decided on a lark to put in a full-spectrum bulb to see if it made an difference. I still got plenty of light to type and read by, but sure enough, within just a few weeks, I didn't feel so oppressed by the winter weather even though we were still having a lot of rain and the temps were still getting colder. And color-wise, I do like the warmer tones of light put out by the new bulb too.

Full-spectrum bulbs cost a bit more than regular ones, but I think the health investment in the long-term is going to be worth it. And it's cheaper than an airplane ticket south.