Undoubtedly you've seen how passionate we are about ensuring that you get the right vitamins and minerals your body needs, as God intended. We are dedicated to helping you achieve a happier, healthier you through healthful, clean foods and supplements while sharing our incredible knowledge with everyone. That's part of why we love talking about vitamins and minerals! Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for all of us as they perform hundreds of roles within our bodies. Eating a healthy diet and ensuring you have the right supplement is still one of the best ways to get the sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals you need. But how do you know you're getting enough? Are there signs and symptoms of deficiency? Today, we want to look at two of the most critical vitamins: D and K, and explore the signs of deficiency while looking at the raw foods and supplements that can help you get the perfect amount!
What is Vitamin D, and Why Do You Need It?
While we've discussed the tremendous benefits of vitamin D before, if you're new here to Hallelujah Diet and beginning your journey with raw foods, let's briefly explain what vitamin D is, why you need it, and what it can do.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D (also known as "calciferol") is a fat-soluble vitamin naturally present in non-GMO, non-pesticide treated, organic raw foods. It can be added to other foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced internally within our bodies when UV (ultra-violet) rays from sunlight strike the skin, triggering our vitamin D synthesis. Why Do We Need Vitamin D? Vitamin D is a nutrient our body needs to build and maintain healthy bones. Our body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D is also an essential part of regulating many other cellular functions. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties that support immune health, muscle function, and brain cell activity.
What are the Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency?
A severe lack of vitamin D causes rickets, which is the softening and weakening of bones in children due to extreme and prolonged lack of vitamin D. However, rickets in children is now a much rarer condition. In adults, lack of vitamin D is not quite so apparent, so it is essential to listen to our bodies and take note of the following signs and symptoms: • Fatigue • Bone and back pain • Bone loss • Hair loss • Weight gain • Anxiety • Muscle weakness, muscle aches, or muscle cramps • Mood changes, like depression • Impaired wound healing There are also a few health factors than can cause vitamin D deficiency. If you suffer from kidney or liver disease, are obese, have had weight loss surgery, cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease, for example.
How To Make Sure You're Getting Enough Vitamin D
The best way to counter vitamin D deficiency is getting abundant sunshine, without getting burnt, along with an excellent vitamin D supplement. What raw foods are high in vitamin D? • Mushrooms are the only plant sources that contains high amounts of vitamin D. However, it's vital to consume mushrooms that have been exposed to ultra-violet light, not grown in the dark. What supplements are excellent sources of vitamin D? When it comes to ensuring you get the proper nutrients and vitamins when you need them, we're happy to share our supplements with you. Our supplements contain no artificial colors or preservatives and are keto -friendly too. Let's take a look! • B-Flax-D is a fantastic source of fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin K2, and vitamin D. • Our vitamin D3 supplements are available in 1000 IU, 5000 IU, and 50,000 IU.
What is Vitamin K, and Why Do You Need It?
Vitamin K plays a crucial role in helping our blood clot, which helps prevent excessive bleeding. Vitamin K is a group of compounds; the most important of these appear to be K1 and vitamin K2, of which there are several variations in chain lengths. While K1 can be obtained from leafy greens, K2 is primarily obtained from meats, cheeses, and eggs or synthesized by bacteria. Optimal intake of vitamin K2 normally requires supplementation.
What are the Signs of a Vitamin K Deficiency?
While newborn babies tend to be particularly vulnerable to vitamin K deficiency--which is rare in adults--people of any age can develop one, triggered by many different factors. These factors include liver disease, malnutrition, and the consequence of taking certain prescription medications.
The main symptoms of vitamin K deficiency are:
- Excessive bleeding from a cut, wound, injection, or puncture.
- Easy bruising
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
How to Make Sure You're Getting Enough Vitamin K
We always recommend ensuring you are eating the best, pure, pesticide-free, non-GMO, organic fruits and vegetables that have vitamin K and using a supplement to ensure the perfect amount for your body.
What fruits or vegetables have vitamin K?
For rich, vitamin K1 packed vegetables try adding to your daily diet:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Collards
- Turnip Greens
- Beet Greens
- Dandelion Greens
- Mustard Greens
For fruit sources excellent in vitamin K1, try adding more of these to your diet:
- Prunes
- Kiwi
- Avocado
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Pomegranate
What supplement is a good source of vitamin K?
If you're worried about your vitamin K intake, take medications that may cause a deficiency, or simply struggle to ensure you're getting enough, we are more than happy to help! One of the best vitamin K supplements to consider is the Hallelujah Diet Vitamin D3 – K2. This supplement is specifically designed to support bone and cardiovascular health and is an excellent source of K2 that is usually found in meat and dairy. When you pair our valuable supplements with our plant-based Hallelujah Diet, your body gets nutrient-dense, vitamin-rich fresh fruits and vegetables that it truly deserves, as God Himself intended for us. We would love to help you learn how to get the right amount of vitamin D, K, and all the essential vitamins and minerals to support your journey to a healthier, happier you!
