The sun goes down; you may need a vitamin D supplement.

The precursor to make vitamin D is produced by the action of the sun on our skin. Staying out of the sun, therefore, reduces our production of vitamin D. That much we know. Should we sit in the sun for a period each day or to listen to our inner voice that says “stay out of the sun?” We can do both, exposing only those parts that are well accustomed to the sun’s rays, legs and arms, for example. If we do not get enough sun we can review our diet to ensure a good intake of D or take a supplement.

The young have great need of vitamin D and calcium, hence vitamin D fortified milk. Vitamin D deficiency, often combined with a poor diet, can result in Rickets, a softening of children’s bones. Whilst most notable in the young, the effect can also be seen in adults, in which case it is classified as Osteomalacia. Older women are often counseled to take vitamin D and calcium to help protect against osteoporosis.

Vitamin D’s other benefits include the reduction of inflammation. Inflammation is a good thing, apparently, in the healing process, but a damping down of inflammation can also be a benefit, a calming of our body’s overzealous efforts that can result in joint and other pain. We are also told, in technical language, difficult to understand, that the calming effect and benefit of vitamin D is seen at the cell level. We need it, let’s make sure we get enough.

The US Government, in the form of the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, has much to say on the subject. If you would like to take a look, here is the link.

Classified vitamins are generally good, that’s the reason they have the classification. We need them. Normally, we get most of, if not all, our needs from our diet, not forgetting the sun, unless we have an aversion to certain types of food or load up on only certain dietary choices. However, unlike other vitamins, vitamin D is not found naturally in most foods. Fish, high in fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines and tuna, have a high level of D. Much vitamin D that we find in food has been added, such as in milk.

An area of concern is that of the correct dosage. Studies are constantly being completed with new ideal daily requirements suggested. In the case of vitamin D the suggested daily requirement seems to be increasing. The daily requirement also increases with age, with suggested daily requirements doubling and tripling as we advance into our latter years.

So, be aware of the need for vitamin D, but use your judgment, not too little and not too much, but more as you age.

John Oram
John@OurFavoriteHealthProducts.com