Lack of sunshine may lead to disease
“Sunshine is the best medicine”
Researchers are concerned about about the widespread D-vitamin deficiency that seems to be affecting even healthy people. Lack of sunlight is the major contributor to this deficit which, in a worst case scenario, may even increase the risk of illness.
Most people have heard of rickets, the bone malformation that is caused by lack of vitamin D. We think of it as a thing of the past, but fasten your seat belts and get ready for a surprise: it has returned. In the period between 2000 and 2001, researchers at Birmingham Children’s Hospital found 24 rickets victims under the age of five.
Sunscreen and diet: It is not just the British who are subject to D-vitamin deficiency. In 2010, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed a jaw-dropping 59 per cent of the general population in the modern world is vitamin D deficient, with a large proportion having extremely low levels of the vitamin. One problem is that we are not getting enough of those food sources that are known to deliver the most vitamin D, typically fish. To make things worse, our extensive use of protective sunscreen blocks the natural synthesis of vitamin D that takes place in human skin in response to sun exposure. As a result, our levels of this important nutrient drop.
The risks involved: Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of many different health problems including impaired immune function, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and several other conditions.
It keeps bones healthy: Vitamin D plays an important role in protecting your bones and your body requires it to absorb calcium. Children need vitamin D to build strong bones and adults need it to keep their bones strong and healthy. If you don’t get enough vitamin D you may loose bone, have lower bone density or you’re more likely to break bones as you get older.
It keeps your muscles healthy: In a study of young women aged 16-22 it was shown 60% had too little vitamin D and that they had more fat in their muscles, compared with women who had normal vitamin D levels.
It prevents the flu: Japanese scientists successfully demonstrated that schoolchildren who received a daily vitamin D supplement were nearly 60% less likely to catch the flu than those who did not get extra vitamin D.
It prevents depression: Low levels of vitamin D could explain why some people develop symptoms of depression, according to a team of researchers from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. After reviewing over 250 studies of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on human health, the research team concluded that there is a link. Apparently, patients with schizophrenia and manic depression are often born during the time of year where a mother’s vitamin D levels are low, typically in the spring and winter.
Sources of vitamin D:
Sunlight: Your skin make vitamin D from the ultra-violet light (UVB) rays in sunlight. Your body is able to store it and use it later. Because of concerns about skin cancer, many people stay out of the sun or use SPF to protect the skin.
Food: Vitamin D is naturally available in only a few foods including fatty fish like wild mackerel, salmon and tuna. Vitamin D is also added to milk and to some brands of dairy products.
Supplements: If you are not getting enough vitamin D from sunlight and food consider taking a supplement. But before adding a vitamin D supplement check to see if other supplements, multivitamins you are taking contain vitamin D.
