Did You Get Your Sun Today? at He's Fit

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Did You Get Your Sun Today?

Posted April 17, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Megan Hueter

Section: In The News, His Health, Physical Health, His Nutrition, Supplements

man tanning Vitamin D is a very important mineral that many people are lacking. Some people try to eat certain foods that may contain high quantities of vitamin D. Other people may try and supplement the nutrient. However, experts say that the best way to get enough vitamin D is to just go outside in the sun for 10-15 minutes.

If you’re anywhere near the east coast, chances are good you have some nice weather today. So go outside on your lunch break. Take a walk after work. Go for a run. Get some sun.

According to Healthlink, “An initial exposure to sunlight (10 -15 minutes) allows adequate time for Vitamin D synthesis and should be followed by application of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect the skin. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D.”

Eating foods that contain vitamin D is good, but exposure to the sun is much more efficient. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that sun exposure is perhaps the most important source of vitamin D, because normal exposure to sunlight provides most humans with their total vitamin D requirement.

Lack of vitamin D causes the bone disorder known as rickets, also known as osteomalacia, which is a weakening or softening of the bones. Lack of vitamin D can also lead to other health problems.

Jacquelyn Dinusson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, says, “Vitamin D deficiency occurs worldwide from dietary insufficiency, malabsorption of the vitamin by the intestines, and lack of exposure to the sun.”

Research sources and for more information: [Healthlink]; [picture]