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"Here Comes the Sun!"
Many of us may remember hearing the expression “sunshine vitamin D” as we were growing up. Sunshine and vitamin D, it turns out, have an intimate relationship. Exposure to the sun helps our bodies manufacture vitamin D, which, in turn, tells our digestive systems to absorb the calcium needed to build strong bones. However, the sun brings many potential dangers such as wrinkling, sun burn, and skin cancer. Sun burn, especially in kids, increases their risk of melanoma and overall excessive sun exposure increases basal cell cancer risk substantially over a lifetime. Some research suggests that small amounts of sun exposure are enough to meet daily vitamin D requirements. However, the sun’s rays vary dramatically depending on the time of day, the season and the latitude. Fortunately, vitamin D can be easily acquired through safe and affordable supplements. American Bone Health recommends that most adults take a minimum of 1,000 but not more than 2,000 international units of vitamin D per day. Children also need vitamin D and you should discuss the appropriate dose with your pediatrician. Look for foods that are fortified with vitamin D and if you are in the sun, see the guidelines from the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention for sun exposure. Our feature article, “Vitamin D and Bone Health,” reports the results of recent research into vitamin D deficiency as well as the controversy over those results. We also discuss the increasing incidence of rickets in children and offer tips about how to manage your sun exposure and what to do if you’ve been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. Enjoy a great Asian salmon recipe that’s sure to hit the spot with busy cooks and their families. The long, dark winter months are drawing to a close. The days are getting longer and sunnier. Enjoy those golden rays safely and don’t forget to bump up your intake of vitamin D. Warmly,
Vitamin D is a workhorse. And at American Bone Health, we are particularly interested in the contribution it makes to building and maintaining strong, healthy bones.
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Adults in the U.S. are not the only ones at risk for vitamin D deficiency. A surprising number of kids are now being diagnosed.
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Production of vitamin D and exposure to sunlight are linked. But you also need to be safe in the sun. What to do?
Diagnosing and Managing Vitamin D Deficiency If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, you may also be vitamin D deficient.
Made with wild-caught salmon, this simple and delicious recipe for two provides more than 900 IU of vitamin D per serving.
Interested in knowing how the food you eat rates on the vitamin D scorecard? |
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