Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that has been linked to healthy calcium levels, reduced risks of certain cancers, and a host of other health benefits. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that they have low levels of vitamin D. If you are in any of the categories below, you would be well advised to get a simple blood test from your doctor to determine your vitamin D levels:
- Total Coverage of the Skin or Overuse of Sunscreen – Osteomalacia has been documented in women who cover all of their skin whenever they are outside for religious or cultural reasons. The application of sunscreen with an SPF factor of 8 reduces the production of vitamin D by 95%, creating a problem similar to that of covered skin.
- Dark Skin – People with dark skin synthesize less vitamin D on exposure to sunlight than those with light skin. The risk of vitamin D deficiency is particularly high in dark-skinned people who live far from the equator.
- Aging – The elderly have reduced capacity to synthesize vitamin D in the skin when exposed to UVB radiation and are more likely to stay indoors or use sunscreen. Institutionalized adults are at extremely high risk of vitamin D deficiency without supplementation.
- Obesity – Being overweight increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Once vitamin D is synthesized in the skin or ingested, it is deposited in body fat stores, making it less bio-available if you have large stores of body fat.
Have you had your vitamin D levels checked?
