How many people do you know have recently been told by their doctor: You’re low on vitamin D?  I know 5 without thinking about it too hard.  Low vitamin D levels were in the news a while back and then poo-pooed as an overreaction.   The truth is that we are hiding from the sun, between avoiding time out in the sun because we’re working too hard or playing video games.  OK, the kids, not me.  And we slather on the sunscreen, now available in SPF 110, when we go outside.  The extremes of getting a sunburn and getting absolutely no sun at all have made it very difficult to get the right amount of vitamin D.
vitamin D

We all need vitamin D and we have to find the right balance of ways to get it.  Vitamin D is critical for immune function, for helping your body use calcium properly to avoid osteoporosis as we get older and it may also provide protection from some cancers, autoimmune diseases, and high blood pressure.  A 2009 study published by the British Journal of Nutrition even showed evidence that the vitamin D that assists with calcium absorption can help women lose weight.  So, how do you manage the juggling act:

  1. Get your vitamin D levels tested so you know where you stand.
  2. Spend some time in the sun daily.  Even 10 minutes is enough.
  3. Wear sunscreeen every day and a hat when you go outside.  Sunscreen with high SPFs will reduce your absorption of vitamin D by 90% but will also protect you from damaging UVA and UVB rays.
  4. Ensure that you diet contains some foods containing vitamin D such as dairy if you can tolerate it, or fish and eggs.
  5. Definitely take a vitamin D supplement as needed, which should be based on the results of vitamin D test.

Bottom line: Get sun, but not much and make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D even if it has to be in a pill!

Written by www.labtestingnow.com