Vitamin D – Sunshine in a Bottle
As the darkness and chill of winter creep closer, many of us mourn the hours of daylight for reasons other than aesthetic comfort. Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D and with the increased awareness about skin cancer prevention and a lack of outdoor activity, many Americans have lower than healthy levels of this vital nutrient. Among its numerous roles in the body, vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, improves mood, strengthens the immune response and may lower the risk of cancer. Vitamin D supplementation may also reduce mortality rates according to a recent review study. A simple blood test can determine if an individual is vitamin D deficient and guide appropriate supplementation. Vitamin D3 is the most bioavailable form of the nutrient and most multi-vitamins do not have an adequate amount to correct deficiencies. Supplementation doses may range from 800 to 2000 IU per day. Food sources of vitamin D include cod liver oil, eggs, fortified dairy products and fish. Ask Dr. Emily about how vitamin D may best benefit you this winter!
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