Are You Vitamin D Deficient?
Most people do not believe they are vitamin D deficient. It's almost to the point of complete denial.
But most of us are simply dead wrong. Study after study shows that around 85-90% of the American population has vitamin D levels that are way too low.
Why is this?
Well, most of us spend very little time outside. The sun is one of the few sources of vitamin D after all.
And even if we do manage to make some time to soak up the sun (without sunscreen), take a look at this map below.
See that red line?
If you live above that line (which is the 37 N latitude line), your skin can only make vitamin D during the summer months.
During the rest of the year the UVB rays produced by the sun are too weak to make the conversion to vitamin D in your skin.
Maybe you think you're safe if you live below the red line? Nope, sorry, you're still probably vitamin D deficient.
A study done in 2006 in Arizona (our sunniest state) showed that only 22.7% of Arizonans had vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml.
That level is barely enough to sustain strong bones, and is woefully inadequate when it comes to disease prevention (which is above 50 ng/ml). That means 77% of the population is getting only enough of a vitamin D dosage to prevent rickets. Not good.
Especially when vitamin D receptors have been found all throughout the body, which explains why vitamin D deficiency symptoms impact so many aspects of our health.
Who is the most at risk?
- Darker-skinned people need more than lighter-skinned people
- Older people need more than younger people
- Fatter people need more than skinnier people
- Sick people need more than healthy people
How can you know for sure if you are deficient? Ask your doctor if he/she does vitamin D testing.
Once you know your what your levels are, you can get them into the optimal range with a natural vitamin D supplement.
Health and Wellness Home - Benefits of Vitamin D - Vitamin D Deficient
