A Natural Way to Get Vitamin D in your Body
I have read that one simple vitamin deficiency is causing the increase in diabetes, arthritis, many cancers, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, and a host of other preventable diseases. Nearly 100% of people with the diseases listed above lack the proper amounts of vitamin D in their body.
Our lives have changed so much from when our grandparents and great-grandparents were outside, working, walking where they were exposed to the sun every day soaking up the rays on their skin. Sun is a great source of vitamin D; however, in today’s world we manage to get 30 seconds it takes to walk from our cars to the building and stores we are entering. And if we do actually go out in the sun, we cover ourselves with sunscreen and hats which blocks the vitamin D production. There are dangers in being over exposed to sun. Do you remember when people use to lay outside for a couple of hours, some falling asleep in the sun, to get a beautiful tan? How about golfers playing 18 holes and developing skin cancer? These illustrations are not what we are talking about in receiving the benefits of sunshine on our skin. When you participate in the above activities, it is necessary to use sunscreen and wear hats for protection.
I was shocked when I learned that half of adults and 40% of all children in the United States are deficient in vitamin D. The Food and Nutrition Board of the US does make recommendations on the amount of vitamin D people should receive by age categories; such as:
- 200IU for those under 50 years of age,
- 400IU for ages 51-70, and
- 600IU for those 71 and over
Unless you take a vitamin pill daily you can receive the necessary dosage in a natural way. How about going outside for:
- 15-20 minutes daily in the summer,
- 25-30 minutes in the spring and fall, and
- 35-40 minutes in the winter.
Make an effort to expose as much skin as you can to sunshine.
Rosalie,
Good information. Interesting to read how much sunlight we need to get a sufficient amount of Vitamin D – and it is the right kind. I have been reading that most multi-vitamins do not contain Vitamin D3 which is the one the body can absorb the best. A good friend of mine was just diagnosed with acute vitamin D deficiency although she has for years taken a daily multi-vitamin. I have reminded her to make sure she gets enough natural sunlight in addition to the new supplements she is taking.
Kristina
What a wonderful inspiration for walking and gardening. Your information is very helpful.