What’s the Deal with Vitamin D?

More and more solid evidence is proving how important Vitamin D is for your body. Too bad about half of all American’s aren’t getting enough of it! ! !

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D also helps the body keep the right amount of phosphorus and calcium levels in the blood and can prevent bone loss. Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, the body actually manufactures this vitamin after being exposed to sunshine.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?! Being exposed to sunshine 10-15 minutes per day, 3 times weekly will satisfy the body’s requirement of needed Vitamin D. If you avoid the sun or use sunscreen (hopefully organic based SPF!), or if you are dark-skinned, overweight, or over 50, you’re at greater risk of deficiency.

Not getting enough Vitamin D can increase your risk for:
*diabetes
*high blood pressure
*stroke
*heart failure
*some types of cancer

Preventive care guidelines currently recommend 1,000 IU of Vitamin D per day for adult women 18 and older and men 50 and older. Vitamin D is actually a hormone and, therefore, is not found in many foods.

Some foods you can find Vitamin D in include:
*Dairy Products - cheese, butter, cream, and fortified milk
*Fish
*Oysters
*Fortified cereals

An easy and safe way for adults to increase daily intake of Vitamin D is to take a supplement with 1,000 IU every day which can be found at any health food store...look for the organic brand and never buy vitamins that are cased in chemicals!



In Health,

Arielle