 |
| Vitamin D is the Sunshine Vitamin |
Vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because your body produces it when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Lots of folks have low Vitamin D levels and don't know it. Some people don't have any symptoms when their Vitamin D levels are low. Others experience muscle weakness, joint pain, fatigue, or depression.
When your Vitamin D level is too low, it can cause your bones to become weak and brittle. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, memory loss in older adults, asthma in children, and cancer. If you are overweight, have a chronic intestinal disease, spend no time outdoors, or are over age 65, you may be more susceptible to having this vitamin deficiency.
You can get Vitamin D naturally by exposing your skin to the sun without using sunscreen for short periods of time.You don't want to get sunburned so only stay outdoors without sunscreen each day for about half the time it would normally take your skin to begin turning pink.This will vary from person to person depending on where you live, how light your skin is, and what time of the year it is. I am very fair skinned, live in the south, and it is August so ten minutes this time of year is plenty for me.
You can also get Vitamin D into your system by eating foods that contain Vitamin D or help your body more easily absorb it. Some good choices are almonds, eggs, figs, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and salmon.
If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with Vitamin D deficiency or fall into one of the more susceptible groups to have Vitamin D deficiency, it's a good idea to get your Vitamin D level checked the next time you have lab work done. If your levels are too low, your doctor will recommend a specific level of Vitamin D supplements. Do not take Vitamin D supplements unless lab work verifies you have a deficiency of this vitamin.
Want to join my online community?
Follow my blog Practical Priorities
Follow me on Twitter @KathyKNorman
Like my Facebook page Practical Priorities
Visit my website www.kathyknorman.com
No comments:
Post a Comment