The Importance of Vitamin D

The Importance of Vitamin D

The Importance of Vitamin DThe body can’t produce its own vitamin D. Being exposed to the sunshine is one way our bodies manufacture vitamin D and it’s essential that we get an adequate amount.

What we don’t get in our food or from sunshine we will need to take a supplement; and Vitamin D3 is what we should take.

How We Get Vitamin D

The body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to the sun, and most people meet at least some of their vitamin D needs this way. Skin exposed to sunshine indoors through a window will not produce vitamin D. Cloudy days, shade, and having dark-colored skin also cut down on the amount of vitamin D the skin can produce.

However, despite the importance of the sun to vitamin D synthesis, it is prudent to limit exposure of skin to sunlight in order to lower the risk for skin cancer. When out in the sun use extra virgin coconut oil liberally on any part of your body that is exposed. I would get no more than 45 to 60 minutes on each side, however at the beginning with 20 to 30 minutes on each side for the first couple of days.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that promises great health benefits, yet most adults fall short.

The Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a star nutrient these days, as research links it to numerous health benefits. Studies suggest vitamin D may go beyond its well-established role in bone health and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and more.

What makes vitamin D unique is that it is a vitamin and also a hormone your body can make from the sun. Despite the ability to get vitamin D from food and the sun, an estimated 40%-75% of people are deficient.

Why? Vitamin D is not abundant in our food choices and the sun is not a reliable source for everyone.

Many factors affect the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D, including season, time of day, latitude, air pollution, cloud cover, body parts exposed, skin color, and age.

Dermatologists recommend using and getting vitamin D from food and supplements.


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