27
Mar 10
You may be hearing a lot about this vitamin lately and I just wanted to clear a few things up. If you currently aren’t supplementing vitamin D, finish reading this and rush out this minute and buy some. This is a super cheap supplement, but well worth it’s weight in gold. If you live north of LA, you need to include a vitamin D supplement since you don’t get enough through sunlight. When
the sun hits our skin, 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is a form of cholesterol, converts to cholecalciferol to form Vitamin D3. (Okay, I’ll fess up, I researched this and can’t actually SAY those words!).
In other words, our skin is able to produce vitamin D when we are exposed to the sun. We need arms and legs exposed for 10 minutes without sunscreen. As you know, in our northern climate, sun exposure isn’t tops on our ‘to do’ list, so go get your supplement. Keep in mind that children should also be supplementing vitamin D. If you drink skim milk, the nutritional analysis will say that it is Vitamin D fortified, but Vitamin D is a fat soluable vitamin, so may fat free milk may not be the best way to ingest it.
Here are a few benefits of vitamin D:
• Helps keep your bones and teeth strong as it promotes calcium absorption and bone building in the body. (Many women are concerned with bone density. If you are Vitamin D deficient, you will have trouble absorbing your calcium and bone density is possibly at risk.)
• Vitamin D helps regulate immune system activity and prevents prolonged inflammatory response in the body.
• Helps prevent Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis and cancer.
• Regulates the growth and activity of cells in the body.
• Vitamin D deficiency can be linked to obesity, heart failure, rickets diabetes in children, and certain types of cancer in the body.
A good reminder! I went and put my Vit D on the counter so I will see it which means I will take it!
Good plan…it does no good in your cupboard!
Important article and good review of Vit. D info,thanks Shawna.
I have seen a signifigant change in my personal health especially my daily energy level since increasing my Vit D to 3,000 – 4,000 per day from the fall 0f 2009. Depending how much sun exposure and types of foods I take in each day I decide how much I may need for me (Being diabetic,I plan out my meals and snacks ahead of time to keep myself accountable and on track, therefore know my daily vit D intake amounts.
Great post. Thanks for the reminder about the importance of Vitamin D! I live in Seattle where the sun doesn’t always shine and most of us here are deficient in Vit. D
I’m buying more tomorrow.
Good plan Jill, then leave it on the counter so you don’t forget to take it! Great seeing you this weekend too!
Most people don’t even realize they are deficient in Vit D and then feel better when they add it to their diet. Thanks for sharing and setting a positive example for the rest of us.
Thanks, Shawna. I, too, have it in my cupboard, and since your article, have been more diligent about taking it!.
What are your thoughts on Glucosamine? I have been taking it daily for several years, and think that I can feel a difference in my joints.
As your “most experienced Boot Camper”, I need all the help I can get!
I love glucosamine and use it myself. I’m not an authority on all supplements, but I do research and take what I feel would benefit my body without emptying my wallet. Sharon, you’re doing amazingly well. I think glucosamine is a great choice.
Perfect. It does no good in the cupboard.