At my annual physical in February, I was shocked to learn that the blood test of my vitamin D level revealed an extremely low level of that vitamin. I had not been taking a vitamin D supplement but had been on a multi-vitamin for years. My doctor reminded me that living in the northern tier of the U.S. has a lot to do with low vitamin D levels...winter months with less sunshine and less time out in the sunshine are a factor. Obviously changes needed to be made!
Research studies and investigation into low vitamin D levels led me to a report that found that more than one-third of all women fail to get enough vitamin D for healthy bones...and more than 75% of women lack the higher amounts needed for vitamin D to do its disease-fighting effectively!
We know that vitamin D can help build strong teeth and bones. Vitamin D can keep us trim, boost our mood, ward off colds, lower blood pressure, regulate hormones, drastically cut one's risk of cancer and more. Dr. Cedric Garland a leading vitamin D researcher and a professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego says that "we could prevent 150,000 cases of cancer annually if we could just increase vitamin D to optimal levels.
Downing a daily glass of milk is a smart and easy way to get more vitamin D. But the most significant source of D is sunlight...and therein lies the problem. Our bodies produce vitamin D with exposure to ultra-violet radiation. However, as we've gotten smarter about dodging skin cancer, we are staying out of the sun and/or slathering ourselves with high levels of SPF sunblock which causes our vitamin D levels to plummet!
What changes can one make to get the vitamin D we need?
Drink one glass of milk daily. Take a quality vitamin D supplement of 1000 units daily. Add a calcium supplement of 500 units daily.
Eat naturally rich vitamin D oily foods such as salmon, sardines and tuna at least twice a week. Drink orange juice and other fruit juices, use butter substitutes, yogurts and cereals rich in D.
Enjoy the sun! Experts say that 10 to 15 minutes daily is usually enough...without any SPF sunblock. Enjoying those minutes in the sun in spring and summer months is easy...a 10 to 15 walk in the winter season needs to be added to our daily regimen!
When you annual physical comes up, you may want to request adding the blood test for checking your vitamin D levels.
|
  |
