Vitamin D for Health

A deficiency in vitamin D is related to a wide range of health problems including osteopenia, osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer and auto-immune diseases such as MS.

A study published in 2009 in the “Archives of Internal Medicine” (a leading scientific journal), found that 70% of Caucasians, 90% of Hispanics and 97% of African Americans in the US have insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D.  These ratios reflect the fact that darker skin people need more sunlight to produce the amount of vitamin D a lighter skin person produces in the same amount of light exposure.  We make Vitamin D through our skin, but it then is transferred to our bloodstream, on to the liver and kidneys, undergoes more transformation and from there affects every cell of our body.  Similar to when a plant nourishes itself and produces fruits through photosynthesis.

Kefir lime undergoing photosynthesis

There seems to be a national if not world-wide deficiency in this vitamin possibly related to our fear of sun cancer.  Yet, sun exposure is one of the best ways for your body to manufacture vitamin D.  What to do?    Find a sunny spot in the garden, on the terrace, in the park, wherever…

Sunlit garden bench

Try to expose 25% of your body to the early morning sun (before 10am) without the use of sunscreen for at least 20 minutes every day.  This should allow your body to manufacture a healthy dose of D without burning your skin.  Take a tip from Louis…

Louis in the sun

enjoy your time in the sun!