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        Bellingham, Washington
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You are here: Home / Archives for serotonin

Dear Nutritionist: Cure for the Summertime Blues

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

Lisa Samuel nutritionist cutting mushrooms on cutting board in kitchen with vegetables

Lisa Samuel,
Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I’ve heard that most people who live in the Pacific Northwest don’t get enough Vitamin D. Do I still need to take Vitamin D in the summer?

Dear Member: Vitamin D helps in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can help you feel calm, relaxed, and happy. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low mood, and it’s also associated with PMS, seasonal affective disorder, mood disorders, and depression.

While we do get Vitamin D from the sun, it can be hard for those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest to get enough sun to maintain our Vitamin D stores. Wearing clothing that covers our skin and wearing sunscreen (which you should do!) prevents Vitamin D from being synthesized. The only way to tell if you have adequate Vitamin D stores is to get a blood test. Most labs use a reference range of about 20 – 55 ng/ml for Vitamin D levels. Research suggests that levels for optimal health are much higher, about 50 – 80 ng/ml.

While the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin D has been set at 600 IU, most studies suggest that you need at least 1,000 to 2,000 IU a day. The upper limit is 4,000 to 10,000 IU a day. If you take a supplement, make sure you take vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the active form of Vitamin D. Talk to your doctor about what level is right for you.

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WELLNESS nutrition| serotonin| summertime blues| vitamin d

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Woman athlete takes a break, drinking water from a reusable water bottle on a hot summers day

Optimal Hydration

Addressing Optimal Hydration Although everyone knows that water is essential for life, most don’t understand why drinking enough water is so important. Without water, humans can only survive for a matter of days. To prevent dehydration all land animals (us humans included) have evolved very sensitive physiological controls to maintain […]

Different supplements sit on a white background including collagen, omega 3s, and mushrooms.

2023 Supplement Sale

Members Save 30% The Co-op’s annual supplement sale is a great way for members to start the new year with wellness, and stock up on must-haves. Our Wellness Managers picked out some of our most popular products for you.   Probiotics  A healthy microbiome is important for your overall health. The [...]
Mt. Shuksan reflected in Picture lake at North Cascades National Park

Stress Less this Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us: a time of holiday cheer, gatherings with loved ones, delicious feasts, and unfortunately, stress. Although there is much to enjoy about the holidays, the hustle and bustle can often be overwhelming. Below are some tips to help you manage stress so that you can find [...]

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DOWNTOWN STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 9 pm
meat and deli counter: 7 am – 7 pm
made-to-order counter: 7 am – 6 pm
salad/hot bar: 7 am – 6 pm

CORDATA STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 9 pm
meat and deli counter: 7 am – 7 pm
made-to-order counter: 7 am – 6 pm
salad/hot bar: 7 am – 7 pm

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