Vitamin D - Critical but Neglected
Category: Health, BeautyMost of us know that vitamin D is found in fortified milk and vitamin supplements, and that it is good for bones. That’s about it…
But, newer research has shown that vitamin D is important in warding off not only rickets and osteoporosis, but also some cancers, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, and helps preserve muscle strength and fortifies our immune system. Yet, about 1/3 of women under 50 only get enough if they take vitamin supplements, and women over 50 get far too little of this important vitamin. The problem is even worse for dark skinned women, as the melanin pigment blocks the sunshine that allows your body to make its own vitamin D.
This lack of vitamin D is a key factor affecting older women, who have a harder time getting up and walking around because their thigh muscles are weak from lack of vitamin D.
What to do? Well, make it habit to take a multivitamin supplement daily and maintain that routine more rigorously after age 40. Second, get some sunshine - no need to get burned or deeply tanned - just 30 minutes exposure to full sun per day will allow your body to create enough vitamin D. And finally, be aware that body fat soaks up vitamin D like a sponge, denying it to the rest of your body - if you are overweight, take more vitamin D to compensate.
Tags:vitamin Vitamin D
