Shorter days, grey skies, and more time indoors. Canadian winters are hard on a lot of things, and your vitamin D levels are one of them. Here's what's going on, and why we paired vitamin D3 with magnesium in one gummy.

The Canadian sunshine problem

Your skin makes vitamin D when it's hit by UVB rays from the sun. The catch? In most of Canada, roughly October through March, the sun sits too low in the sky for enough UVB to reach you, even on a bright day. Add in jackets, toques and long days indoors, and it's easy to see why many Canadians run low in the winter months.

Food helps, but only a few foods (fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk and plant drinks) contain meaningful amounts. For many people, that makes a supplement the simplest way to stay consistent through the darker months.

What vitamin D does

• Helps your body absorb and use calcium and phosphorus
• Helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth
• Supports normal immune function

Why D3?

Vitamin D comes in two main forms: D2 and D3. D3 (cholecalciferol) is the same form your skin makes from sunlight, and research shows it's generally more effective at raising and maintaining vitamin D levels in the blood. That's the form we use.

Where magnesium comes in

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of processes in the body, and vitamin D is one of them. The enzymes your body uses to convert vitamin D into its active form depend on magnesium. In other words, vitamin D and magnesium work as a team.

On top of that, many people don't get enough magnesium from their diet. It's found in leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains, foods that don't always make it onto a busy plate. Magnesium also:

• Helps maintain proper muscle function
• Helps in energy metabolism
• Helps in the maintenance of bones and teeth

Many people like taking magnesium as part of their evening wind-down routine, especially after training.

Why magnesium bisglycinate?

Not all magnesium is created equal. Some cheaper forms, like magnesium oxide, are poorly absorbed and more likely to upset your stomach. URSA uses magnesium bisglycinate, a form bound to the amino acid glycine that is well absorbed and known for being gentle on digestion.

One gummy, two essentials

Instead of juggling two bottles, URSA Magnesium + Vitamin D3 Gummies combine both in one raspberry-flavoured gummy:

• NPN approved (80144824) and regulated by Health Canada
• Third-party tested
• Made in Canada
• No artificial colours or flavours
• Vegetarian and gluten-free
• 60 gummies per pack. Take 1 to 2 daily.

Tips for getting through the winter

1. Be consistent. Make your gummies part of something you already do every day, like breakfast or brushing your teeth.
2. Take vitamin D with food. It's fat-soluble, so it's best absorbed alongside a meal.
3. Get outside anyway. Even when UVB is low, daylight, fresh air and movement are good for you.
4. Eat your greens, nuts and seeds for a magnesium boost from food.

The bottom line

If you live in Canada, winter makes it tough to get enough vitamin D from the sun alone, and magnesium is the partner nutrient that helps your body put it to work. URSA Magnesium + Vitamin D3 gives you both in one tasty daily habit.

Shop URSA Magnesium + Vitamin D3 Gummies →

This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. Read and follow the label. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.

Further reading: Uwitonze & Razzaque, Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function, Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (2018).