Benefits of Vitamin D

by Dr. Jorge Carrera

 

Vitamin D is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Today, We have become an indoor society.  Many of us work all day indoors and spend little time outside in the sun  and when we do, we use sunscreen that block the sun's ultraviolet rays.  This is why we are seeing an epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency in our Adult population. 

 

Risks of having an insufficient amount of Vitamin D in your system include, bone disease, skin disease, infectious diseases, and even cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D insufficiency is thought to be a key contributor to Osteoporosis.

 

It is thought that by exposing  15% of your body to 15 minutes of sunlight during mid-day, two to three times a week, on can have enough safe sun exposure to produce Vitamin D. You can also get Vitamin D in your diet.  Many of our foods have been fortified with Vit.D. Like milk, cereals, and other dairy products.  Fatty fishes that are caught in the wild, like Salmon, also are rich in Vit. D.  But for those who can not tolerate Dairy, there are supplement that can be taken.  It is important to take a blood test first to see what your levels are and then let your doctor guide you as to the proper dosage. Vit. D. is stored in the fat tissues and is not released like the water soluble vitamins. So you can have too much of a good thing.  When taking supplements it is good to monitor your level of Vit. D.  Those who have normal levels of Vit. D can supplement approximately 800 to 1,000 international units a day, however, if you are deficient, you may need up to 50,000 IU weekly, over a course of a month.

Your blood levels can be tested by taking the blood test, 25-hydroxyvitamin D.