I'm deficient, you're deficient, we're all deficient!

Vitamin D. We all know that it helps our body absorb calcium and makes strong bones, but very few talk about it's other very important roles of immune function, muscle function, circulation, and brain development. In fact, as more research concludes it is proven that a lack of vitamin D or a chronic deficiency has been linked to Cancer, Asthma, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Depression, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Crohn's disease. I'd say that's a pretty important vitamin!

Now that we've let you in on Vitamin D's responsibilities we are all headed outside to get our daily dose of Vitamin D right?  Not so fast....Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States affecting over 3 million Americans a year.  Ultraviolet radiation has a cumulative effect, which means your sun exposure and UV damage builds upon itself year after year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Cancer prevention, sunscreen, and our fear of looking like Magda from "There's Something about Mary" proves that no one is tracking their time outside to get the perfect amount of Vitamin D. So instead of trying to get your Vitamin D from the sun, which may never amount to any real absorption of Vitamin D anyway, here are a few ways to boost your levels without increasing your skin cancer risk:


Vitamin D is prevalent in foods we should be eating:  
(holy mackerel!)
                                      

salmon
egg yolk
mackerel
cod oil
fish oil
fortified cheese
fortified milk
beef liver
some fortified breads and cereals



How else can you get it?  

The Vitamin D council recommends anything from 1000 IU to 5000 IU a day. Supplements are created to be taken in 1 pill form dependent on your recommend dosage. Use a supplement that is USP Certified as it is more regulated.

How do I know I am getting enough?

Your Vitamin D can be checked with a lab test at your doctor's office called 25(OH)D or 25- hydroxy vitamin D. You can suspect deficiency if you have any of the following symptoms:  muscle cramps, fragile bones, mood swings, insomnia, and depression.  

More D's Please!! 

Take home point: We all could use more vitamin D, but laying out on the blacktop driveway is not the way to get it.  The foods we eat or vitamin supplements are the safest and most effective way to absorb vitamin D in the body and in turn improve our overall bone strength, circulation, and immune function. Hey, it may even help with mood and fatigue. Now that'a a gimme for any parent!

In good health,

Amy & Kris