Latest news with #sunshine
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Best Time to Take Vitamin D for Maximum Absorption, According to Health Experts
Reviewed by Dietitian Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCSIt can be challenging to meet your vitamin D needs through diet alone. It doesn't matter whether you take vitamin D in the morning or evening. Take vitamin D with a meal or snack containing fat to enhance it comes to the supplement aisle, multivitamins, omega-3s and probiotics might score the most real estate on the shelf. However, if that multi doesn't come with a dose of vitamin D, your doctor might recommend adding another pill to your routine. Known as the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is something most of us aren't getting enough of, and if you're wondering what time of day you should take it, we're here with the answer. Roxana Ehsani, M.S., RD, CSSD, explains that vitamin D is one of four fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and K are the others). Our bodies make vitamin D after being exposed to the sun, and we can also get it through our diet. It plays 'many important roles in our body,' adds Ehsani. These include supporting your immune system, muscle and nerve function, your body's ability to absorb calcium and more. Even though vitamin D is critical for overall health, research suggests that an estimated 25% of Americans are deficient in it. This could be because there are few food sources of vitamin D, and many people don't see sunshine during winter, live in regions with limited sunlight, and/or keep their skin covered while al fresco. The average older adult's recommended Daily Value of vitamin D is 20 micrograms, which is equal to 800 international units (IU). For reference, one egg and a 3-ounce can of tuna each have above 1 mcg, 3 ounces of sockeye salmon delivers around 12 mcg, and 3 ounces of trout offers around 14 mcg. Unless you're taking a spoonful of cod liver oil (34 mcg) or eating salmon or trout daily, it can be challenging to meet that mark through food alone, since most food sources of vitamin D offer small amounts. In the U.S., people get most of their dietary vitamin D from fortified milk, which contains around 100 IU per 8-ounce serving. But you'd need to drink a quart or more of milk daily to reach the DV—and milk consumption has been declining in recent years, a factor that some experts cite when discussing increased vitamin D deficiency. That's why many people take a vitamin D supplement. However, you want to make sure not only that you're taking the right amount but also that your body is absorbing it properly. Read along to learn when to take your vitamin D supplement and what factors you should consider. We'll cut to the chase: According to the current scientific consensus, our experts agree that it doesn't matter what time of the day you take your vitamin D supplement. Many people find it handy to take supplements in the morning before the day sweeps them away. Others like to store them in a drawer near the kitchen cleaning supplies to pop after tidying up after dinner. It shouldn't make a substantial difference in absorption rates whether you swing to one side or the other, although it's easiest to remember if you pick one time and stick with it. There are many factors to consider when taking any supplement, not just a vitamin D supplement; here's what you should keep in mind. First, several conditions can influence an individual's vitamin D levels (or needs). These include osteoporosis or osteopenia, depression, kidney or liver disease and having a family history of neurological conditions, to name a few. According to David Davidson, M.D., it's especially important for 'people with absorption issues, like inflammatory bowel disease or post-gastric bypass surgery' to work with their doctors to dial in their dose and receive personalized guidance about when to take vitamin D. Body size can also alter absorbency and dosing, so be sure to ask your doctor for an individual recommendation before you set off to shop for supplements. If you notice any nausea, constipation, noticeable appetite shifts or other adverse symptoms after taking your supplement, be sure to chat with your doctor. Regardless of why you're including a vitamin D supplement in your regimen, it's important to consider your routine. It's difficult to reap the health benefits of vitamin D if you forget to take it most of the time. Many people do well with 'habit stacking' or pairing the routine of taking vitamin D with something else they do daily on autopilot. Keep this in mind as you consider when to take your supplements. Ehsani shows how to put this into practice: 'If you always brush your teeth in the morning after breakfast, for instance, can you place your vitamin D supplements next to your toothbrush to remind you to take it each day?' As with any new medication or supplement, it's important to check with a health care professional to determine the best time for you. As a general rule, though, 'the 'best' time is what works best for you,' Ehsani says. 'The timing of when to take the vitamin D supplement shouldn't matter, but it should be taken with food,' Davidson says. 'Because it's a fat-soluble vitamin, food, specifically healthy fats, will help with the absorption of vitamin D.' For example, if you tend to have almond-butter toast each morning, 'consider taking it with that meal, as almond butter contains healthy fats,' Ehsani advises. Or, if you like to serve dinner with a side salad topped with a handful of walnuts and drizzled with a vinaigrette, take your vitamin D before you sit down to dig in. You could also choose to take your vitamin D with a glass of whole milk or a yogurt drink—you'll get the addition of calcium from the dairy and the vitamin D will help your body absorb the calcium. 'It may be impractical for you to take it with meals if you eat a majority of your meals away from home and can't realistically carry the vitamin D supplement with you everywhere you go,' Ehsani acknowledges. So, if that's not a realistic proposition, tell a health care professional about your schedule and when you think it might better fit, and ask for their runner-up recommendation. There are two types of vitamin D: D2 and D3. UV-grown plants, fungi and fortified foods deliver D2, while we get D3 from sunlight and animal-based ingredients. While both are important and beneficial, vitamin D3 is more bioavailable than vitamin D2. This means that your body uses vitamin D3 more efficiently, so you might need a higher dose of vitamin D2 to achieve the same effects as you might with a supplement that includes just D3. Before starting any new supplement regimen, talk to a health care professional about the best form of vitamin D for you. And if you already take a vitamin D supplement, confirm with them that you're taking the right form. Related: 7 Things You Should Look for When Buying a Supplement, According to Dietitians The best time to take a vitamin D supplement is when it fits well into your day—and when you can remember to take it. When choosing a vitamin D supplement, consider opting for vitamin D3 over D2 so your body can use it more efficiently. Additionally, Ehsani and Davidson confirm that, ideally, you should take your vitamin D supplement with a meal that contains fat to help with absorption. For instance, if you like to take vitamin D first thing in the morning, well before you typically eat breakfast, or prefer to pop your supplements just before bed, think about doing so with a handful of nuts or a spoonful of nut butter, Ehsani says. That way, you'll enjoy two wellness wins in one: better vitamin D absorption and all the health benefits of nuts. Related: 5 Supplements You Shouldn't Be Taking, According to a Dietitian Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Sky News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Sky News
UK set for hotter than usual summer and heatwaves, Met Office predicts
The UK appears to be on the verge of a hotter than usual summer – with the Met Office warning there's an increased risk of heatwaves in the coming months. The weather service's three-month outlook predicts it is 2.3 times more likely than normal that it will be hot in the UK between 1 June and 31 August. The average temperatures during those months range from 10-17C, with the southeast of England experiencing the higher averages of 16-17C. The predictions come after temperatures soared to 8C (46F) above the average for this time of year on Saturday, bringing the final day of meteorological spring to a warm close. This has been the UK's sunniest spring on record, with some 630 hours of sunshine logged between 1 March and 27 May. It has also been the driest spring in more than a century. 0:55 The Met Office said: "While the current three-month outlook shows an increased chance of a hot summer, the temperature signals for this summer are similar to those for recent years and consistent with our warming climate. "The increased chance of hotter than average temperatures is not a guarantee of prolonged hot weather or heatwaves, but it does mean that heatwave conditions could be reached at times. "However, it's important to bear in mind that an increased chance of hot conditions could also reflect a mix of hot and cool days, warm nights, or less extreme levels of warmth rather than continual heatwave conditions specifically." The Met Office's long-range forecast does not offer weather predictions for specific days, but instead gives an indication of possible temperatures, rainfall and wind speed over the period as a whole. The summers of 2018 and 2021 to 2023 were also predicted to be hot. Data shows the last time a summer was predicted to be cool was in 2015.
Washington Post
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
In Seattle, the Thunder's success reopens wounds never fully healed
SEATTLE — The torment returned on the most gorgeous day of the year thus far. In a city that dawdles into summertime, the temperature reached 81 degrees Wednesday. It was the first 80-degree day of 2025, and when the Pacific Northwest is blessed with a May surprise, the people-watching is as delightful as the sunshine.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hailee Steinfeld Glows In White Dress As She Stands Beside Josh Allen At The Altar
and are officially in wedding mode. The actress was seen glowing with joy on Friday as she and her NFL fiancé, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen rehearsed for their big day at a sun-soaked California resort. Wearing a flirty short white dress, Hailee Steinfeld beamed at the altar while the couple practiced their vows in front of friends and family. Allen, clearly keeping cool in more ways than one, held up an umbrella to shield himself from the sun, all while exchanging sweet, flirtatious moments with his bride-to-be. In the photos, obtained by TMZ, Steinfeld could be seen leaning in for a kiss as the crowd looked on, and from the looks of it, these two are more than ready to say 'I do.' Keeping her bridal energy strong all weekend long, Steinfeld continued to rock all white as she mingled with guests around the venue, soaking up the celebratory vibes. The couple's whirlwind romance began just over two years ago, when they were first spotted cozying up at a sushi restaurant. It didn't take long for the sparks to go public, a steamy hot tub photo soon confirmed their relationship, and fans have been rooting for the power couple ever since. Though they've largely kept their love story low-key compared to other celebrity-athlete pairings, a sweet gender reveal video months into their relationship showed just how head-over-heels they were. Not long after, Allen got down on one knee during a dreamy sunset proposal, framed by an elegant flower arch and dozens of candles overlooking the ocean. They shared the moment with a romantic snapshot of Hailee kissing her future husband with the caption, '11•22•24,' revealing that Allen popped the question on November 22, 2024. Steinfeld may be happily engaged to NFL star Allen, but that hasn't stopped fans from buzzing over her undeniable on-screen chemistry with "Sinners" co-star The horror-thriller, which hit theaters last week, has reignited speculation about the duo's bond, especially after Steinfeld recently opened up about how much she admires Jordan's performance. In a candid interview with Collider, Steinfeld praised Jordan's ability to seamlessly switch between his dual roles in the film, calling him 'one of the most generous actors' she's ever worked with. 'He is constantly giving and constantly checking in with me, with us, with everyone around him to make sure that we're getting what we need… He's so, so, so talented,' she shared. 'There was this natural connection and draw that I would have with Michael as Stack, and then, when he'd come on set as Smoke, I didn't really interact with him very much.' While Steinfeld's glowing words about her co-star seem nothing more than professional admiration, fans on social media have taken it in a different direction, trolling the actress and even urging Allen to 'cancel the wedding.' Though, it seems instead they are cancelling out the noise since they were just seen rehearsing at the altar. Despite the noise, Allen has reportedly remained unfazed and supportive, recently expressing how proud he is of Steinfeld's performance in the hit film. "It was awesome," Allen told reporters, per PEOPLE Magazine. "It was a different world, a very cool experience," the quarterback continued. "I'm so excited for her and so proud of her, and it's getting some great reviews. It's a fantastic movie, so go watch it." For now, the couple appears to be tuning out the chatter and focusing on their upcoming nuptials. While the exact wedding date remains under wraps, the rehearsal signals the big day is just around the corner, and with NFL training camp still weeks away, Allen has plenty of time to soak up honeymoon bliss before returning to Buffalo. From cozy hot tubs to the altar, Steinfeld and Allen have kept fans swooning every step of the way, and now, the countdown to their walk down the aisle is officially on.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Climate
- Bloomberg
UK Temperatures Could Hit 27C Before Unsettled Weather Arrives
Temperatures could hit 27C on Saturday during the final weekend of the sunniest UK spring on record, before changeable weather is forecast next week. A balmy end to spring comes as provisional figures from the Met Office show 630 hours of sunshine were clocked up across the country between March 1 and May 27.
