The other day while visiting a family member she told me that the doctor had told her that one of her tests he had taken showed  that her vitamin D levels were extremely low.  I had just recently been reading about how important a role this nutrient plays in our health so was very concerned.

This deficiency can lead to not only bone loss, but other serious health conditions such as heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and some autoimmune disorders.  Even MS has been linked to a lack of Vitamin D.

It takes about  15 minutes of exposure to sunlight on your hands and face  for your body to make enough vitamin D under normal circumstances.   Pulling ourselves away from the computer, workplace, tv, etc. to get that brief exposure can make a tremendous difference.  Sunscreens that we apply daily to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays can also prevent enough exposure as well as protective clothing.    If we reside up north or way down south we may need to spend a little more time outside.

Foods which contain vitamin D include salmon, sardines, shrimp, milk, cod, and eggs. Among salmon, wild-caught fish have been shown to average significantly more vitamin D than non-organically farmed fish.   Supplements can also be taken.  It is the overwhelming consensus of researchers that D3 is our best bet when supplementing with vitamin D.   (For more information about how to obtain such a supplement,  contact me here).

For an excellent discussion about what this valuable nutrient can do for you, check out this site.  I was amazed to learn how linked this vitamin is to so many of the health issues we are dealing with today.  Have you had your vitamin D levels checked recently?