Bone Up On Vitamin D
Contributed by: News Canada
(NC) - The most significant supply of vitamin D comes from the action of sunlight on the skin. But how much sunlight one receives depends largely on the latitude of where one lives. Scientists estimate that above latitudes of approximately 40 degrees, the vitamin D synthesis for most of the winter months is inadequate. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency is seen more often in northern countries.
It has been found that bone loss in post menopausal women occurs mostly in the winter due to falling levels of vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D is important for bone health as it aids calcium absorption. In addition, there is growing evidence that low vitamin D levels contribute to some cancers such as pros ate and colon cancer and auto-immune disease.
Although the body can store some of the vitamin D the skin produces during the warmer summer months, it often is not enough without additional dietary or supplementary sources all year round.
To achieve the health benefits associated with vitamin D, such as maintaining good bone health, a supplement is strongly recommended. One can get the recommended amount of vitamin D (400 IU) through a calcium supplement or some dietary sources like milk are fortified with vitamin D.
