celebrity writers

Weight-gain: the Fall and Vitamin D Conspiracy

Why We Eat More in Autumn and Winter and How Not to

Oct 2, 2008

we consume more calories in fall and winter, Dreamstime

If you find yourself starting to eat more and gaining weight as fall sets in, you might be interested to learn that you can blame low levels of vitamin D!

Many people find that as the days grow shorter they start reaching for Comfort Food and end up gaining weight. If you find that the size of your waistline seems to be increasing along with the hours of darkness in the day, you might be relieved to learn that the urge to eat more as the days grow shorter is not your fault - it’s actually a scientifically recognised condition!

Primeval Instinct

The impulse to reach for the biscuit barrel or cookie jar as the dark nights draw in is motivated by our bodies’ primeval instinct to survive. It makes sense for people who live in cold climates (Inuits, for example) to carry more body-fat - it provides insulation against cold, works as ‘fuel stores’ for the winter months when food is scarce and protects internal organs from freezing temperatures.

It is for these ‘survival’ reasons that the brain is programmed to cause the human animal to increase in size during the fall and winter months; as Dr. Michael R. Eades writes: "All animals get fatter in the fall in preparation for winter. We humans are no exception."

How is the Brain ‘Programmed‘?

The major factor which stimulates weight gain in winter months is vitamin D. Human bodies get vitamin D from sunlight; as the hours of sunlight become less with the onset of fall, so our levels of vitamin D decrease.

Low levels of vitamin D affect the brain's production of the hormone leptin. Leptin plays a vital role in controlling appetite and metabolism; so as the amount of vitamin D in our bodies decreases so does the leptin, and this causes an increase in our appetite and a change in our metabolism.

Researchers at Aberdeen University found that obese people had 10% less vitamin D than people of average weight. The study also found that excess body fat absorbed vitamin D so the body couldn’t use it. Scientists now believe that there is a direct correlation between obesity and low levels of vitamin D.

Modern-day Problem

The problem is that in this modern age of cars, central heating, double-glazing, heated shopping malls and plentiful food, we no longer need a layer of blubber to protect us from the cold or see us through ‘lean‘ winter months! As World News Australia puts it: ‘Genes that helped early humans adapt to cold climates may be driving metabolism-related diseases such as obesity or diabetes in many countries.’

Although the urge to eat more in colder weather is an instinct we haven’t yet evolved out of, here are some tips to help you limit the amount of weight you put on this year:

Keep your metabolism working efficiently by: (a) taking regular exercise (a brisk 10-15 minute walk once or twice a day is enough to do the trick!) and: (b) eating little and often.
There are still days of vitamin D-enriching bright sunshine in fall and winter - get out in the fresh air and enjoy them.
Remember that you can get vitamin D from oily fish and eggs so include plenty of these in your diet.
Consider taking a vitamin supplement.

If all else fails you can always tell your friends your excessive appetite is caused by vitamin D exhaustion, and hope they feel sorry for you!

The copyright of the article Weight-gain: the Fall and Vitamin D Conspiracy in Weight Loss is owned by Donna Watmough. Permission to republish Weight-gain: the Fall and Vitamin D Conspiracy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

we consume more calories in fall and winter

Comments

Oct 2, 2008 11:52 PM

Maija Haavisto :

Actually, in most places you cannot get any vitamin D in the winter, no matter how sunny it is. For example where I live the sunlight is powerful enough to trigger production on the skin only five months a year.

Eggs contain very little vitamin D - you'd have to eat dozens of them every single day to get adequate amounts. With fatty fish you'd have to eat it every day. Everyone should take 50-100 mcg (2,000-4,000 IU) of vitamin D in the winter. Not taking it is a health risk similar to smoking, or even worse.

Oct 3, 2008 2:34 AM

Donna Watmough :

Hello Maija

The following information about vitamin D and vitamin D supplementation is taken from the UK Government's Foods Standards Agency website(www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/vitamins andminerals):

"Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means you don't need it every day because any of the vitamin your body doesn't need immediately is stored for future use.

You might be particularly short of vitamin D, and so might want to think about taking 10 micrograms (0.01 mg) of vitamin D each day, if you:

are of Asian origin
always cover up all your skin when you're outside
rarely get outdoors
eat no meat or oily fish

Most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from their diet and by getting a little sun.

Taking high doses of vitamin D for long periods of time could weaken your bones."

Hope this clarifies things

Donna Watmough

2 Comments