The Vitamin D Dictate

This is a pretty big subject, and I know I'm not going to be able to share all perspectives and research. Nor do I claim to be a nutritionist, doctor or homeopath. What I will do is share with you my own research, my observations and the results from experimenting with my machine.

So let's start with some basics.

One of the lovely (sarcasm) attributes of SAD is depression.
Those affected by SAD tend to have the low (depressive) cycle in the winter.
Winter tends to be when most people tend to stay indoors. (because it's cold, often gloomy AND if your depressed one REALLY doesn't want to go out...anywhere)
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has be shown to have a relationship with depression.


Years ago (5 to be exact) a friend whose father is very, very smart on all things animal, vegetable and mineral suggested that I start taking Vitamin D in the winter.  "It'll help", he said.
So I did.  and it does, says I.

Now this is where I may get some flack but I'll explain what I know to be true  - and try and provide links for my reasoning.

I take anywhere between 4000 and 5000IU of Vitamin D  a day. Yup per day.

RDA is 600IU for anyone 9 years or older.  The Upper Limit is 4000IU per day

Age	Daily Vitamin D, in IUs
	AI	EAR	RDA	UL
0-6 Mths	400	-	-	1000
6-12 Mths	400	-	-	1500
1-3 Yrs	-	400	600	2500
4-8 Yrs	-	400	600	3000
9-69 Yrs	-	400	600	4000
> 70 Yrs	-	400	800	4000

Canada and therefore those who live here doesn't actually get enough winter 'sunlight' days to produce even the RDA of Vitamin D - so a regular supplement is advised.  

And the short version of my story for today is that it seems you can't have too much. Well, it would take A LOT (10,000IU+) to have too much. So I take the Upper limit and sometimes even a little more pending what my social habits have been up to (aka drinking) as it appears alcohol consumption actually pulls Vitamin D out of your system in order to be metabolized.  (This is an important bit of information that I'll get back to)  I should mention, that I did notice a weird feelings in my eyes/eyelids when I took more than 6000IU 3 or 4 days in a row, but the weird eye stuff went away as soon as returned to 4000IU. *shrugs* could be coincidence but I doubt it.

Needless to say as soon as I get those aforementioned mushroom cravings - I start taking my Vitamin D, religiously.
It helps.
A lot.
Lives and friendships have been saved because of it.
And I notice a big difference when I don't take it.

Not to mention Vitamin D seems to have all kinds of extra advantages!

See what Dr Oz, has to say.

Small Dark Corner

It took years to make the connection. But once I did, holy moly, it was glaringly evident and in hindsight I have no idea how I missed it.

October faithfully arrives and I begin to crave
mushrooms.
On everything.
Mushroom burgers
Mushroom soup
Mushroom omelettes
Sauteed mushrooms
Grilled mushrooms
Marinated mushrooms
Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Google and I spent a few moments together to query my mushroom affections and you know what I found out?


Mushrooms have something which no other vegetables or fruit contain.
Vitamin D
Pretty awesome eh?
Those fantastic flavorful fungus that grow in dark and damp spaces are the only things in the produce section that contain the same vitamin that the sun provides. Natures irony.   I love it.

Be it true or coincidence that my machine knew, before my knowledge centre did, that Vitamin D  could be drawn from mushrooms and therefore kicked up the cravings, I will never really know. But my instinct says, "heck ya, the machine knew and good for me for paying attention"

The human body, as a machine, will always impress me by it's design and function. Always


For the fact finders, let me save you some time.

Here's the highlight reel of Mushrooms nutritional value:

Low in fat, calories, sodium and carbohydrates
Most have protein, and by dry weight, what one would consider high content, around 20-30%
They have fiber - and we all know fiber is your friend
Niacin and B Vitamins - B's are usually found in animal tissue, not vegetation.

My favorite Vitamin, Vitamin D, which can have a RDA content of anywhere from 4 to 13%  pending on variety.  The lowest being the white button mushroom, however, scientists have discovered when mushrooms are exposed to ultraviolet B radiation (light) the Vitamin D content goes up dramatically! I have even heard rumour of a company with a portobello with 100% of the RDA. Haven't seen it, but I've heard about it....

Copper (who would have thunk they would have copper??) - helps absorb oxygen and create red blood cells
Potassium, which keeps cells functioning properly and help regulates blood pressure. I read somewhere that a large portobello has more potassium than a banana! (mmm  a grilled marinated portobello with a smear of goat cheese)
The great antioxidant Selenium is found at a higher percentage than any other form of produce.  As well as other important minerals, phosphorous, zinc and magnesium

So you see, fellow SADists...er...SADites...mushrooms = goodness. Make friends with them.

Now, years after my 'discovery' I use my mushroom cravings as a seasonal early warning sign to start taking my Vitamin D supplements and indulge in some of my own tried and true comfort food.

Cream of Mushroom soup a la lazy.
Re hydrate your choice of mushroom blend - aim for a couple cups
  a mix of shiitaki, portobello, chantrelle and oyster would be awesome

Once mushrooms are rehydrated and drained
in a soup pot
saute (in butter with a little olive oil (oh yes!) one diced onion and the mushrooms.
add a clove or two of diced garlic (or cheat with roast garlic in a tube)
some salt and pepper
and saute until mushrooms are cooked.

then add a couple cups of broth (your choice - I usually use whatever is open in the fridge)
a can of cream of mushroom soup
stir
simmer 5 min or so
get the hand blender out, and cream that soup.
mmm, smells good.
too thick? add a little more broth
too thin? add another can of mushroom soup
now add a splash or two of soya sauce,  yup soya sauce, i recommend kikoman's

ta da.
soup done.
it's too easy to warrant all the complements i get...(i think (know) it's the soya, they just can't put their finger on the flavour *wink* )

 - if you do suffer from SAD, avoid the habit of bread with soup,
a couple croutons are fine but bread - don't even think about it
trust me, I'll explain later