Getting Enough Vitamin D?

A recent study shows that for people with low levels of vitamin D, taking supplements can reduce more than half of the risk of dying -of any cause.

The study was done by the University of Kansas. More than 10,000 adults were tested. The results are as follows:
70% of the patients had under 30 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter, the level many experts consider sufficient for good health, and they were at significantly higher risk for a variety of heart diseases.
People with deficient levels of vitamin D were more than twice as likely to have diabetes; 40% more likely to have high blood pressure; 30% more likely to suffer from cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease; three-fold more likely to die from any cause compared to those with enough vitamin D.

We hear a lot about vitamin D. So what is vitamin D?  Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body use calcium and phosphorous to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. Too little vitamin D can cause calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood to decrease, leading to calcium being pulled out of the bones to help maintain stable blood levels.

It is so important for our health. Then how do we get it? We should get about 90% of our  vitamin D from the sun and only 10% from our food. But in the northern US and throughout Canada, the sun isn't strong enough during the winter, even if the weather was warm enough to expose the skin for the sun for a long time. So adults should consider getting their vitamin D levels checked through a simple blood test and take  vitamin D supplements if needed.

The recommended intakefrom Health Canada is as follows: for age of 0~12 months the daily amount is 400 IUs; for age of 1-70 years old the daily amount is 600 IUs and for 70 plus it is 800 IUs.

Five minutes of daily sun exposure will help to produce the vitamin D that your body needs. It just help not enough.  Vitamin D is found naturally in oily fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. It is also added to milk, soy beverages, and margarine. So if you want  healthy bones and teeth, enjoy the sun shine and eat more oily fish. Or if you need, taking supplements is necessary. It can decrease the likelihood of heart disease, cancer, bone disease, and so on.