Q: "In winter, I often find myself feeling down. Could this be the SAD that I've heard about? If so, how do I combat it?"

A: Dr. Vicky Radhakrishnan, ND, of Agape Natural Wellness Centre (604-737-2273, www.agapenatural.com) in Vancouver replies: I like your proactive attitude towards your health! Shorter daylight hours and lack of sunlight in winter often affects people's moods in varying degrees-especially here on the rainy West Coast. Being mildly depressed during the winter months does not mean that one has seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which refers to the extreme end of the spectrum, marked by symptoms of depression profound enough to seriously affect work and relationships.

SAD has been linked to a lack of adequate sunlight. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is formed in our skin when skin is exposed to ultraviolet (type B) light. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that people most deficient in vitamin D live in regions that don't get much sun in winter. Supplementing with vitamin D should be done under supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Have your vitamin D levels tested to avoid possible toxicity with supplemental doses that are too high. The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test, available through many naturopathic physicians (NDs), is the most accurate measure of the body's amount of vitamin D.

A balanced diet, exercise, adequate sleep and increasing your time in the sun are other ways to prevent the effects of winter. For some however, customized supplementation with herbs, vitamins and minerals make the difference between despair and empowerment. Talk to an ND for additional ways to help you combat the winter blues or SAD.

For additional resources see "Naturopathic Physicians" in the HANS Wellness Directory at www.hans.org.

Want to search for other articles that may interest you?

Readers of this article also enjoyed...