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Sun is
By Chellee Unruh
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he blustery South Dakota winter has set in with considerably less sun, which means the majority of the population will become vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D also known as the sunshine vitamin, is manufactured in our skin following sunlight exposure. According to GrassrootsHealth, studies have found that people with low vitamin D experience reduced athletic performance and are at a higher risk of many serious diseases: namely, cardiovascular disease, cancers like breast and colorectal, autoimmune diseases including diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and even infections, flu, colds and much more. What is ironic about winter is that when people need vitamin D the most, the majority are not getting enough. The question remains: Why is it that we can so easily become Vitamin D deficient in the winter months? The answer is: Because we are confined inside. Between work, the bitter cold, and indoor-focused activities, we get less and less sunlight. “Our bodies have evolved to use the sun to get vitamin D,” shares Carole Baggerly, founder of GrassrootsHealth. “We are just now learning the long-term effects of being Vitamin D deprived.” The best way to combat a vitamin D deficiency is by educating yourself, testing serum levels, adjusting behaviors such as sun exposure, and finding a good supplement source. “The standard vitamin D serum level that you need to measure, is between 40 and 60 nanograms/milliliter (ng/ml),” says Carole. From an ‘intake’ standpoint, GrassrootsHealth, the world’s leading Nutrient Research Institute, has demonstrated that with their 18,000 study participants it takes about 5000 IU/day of vitamin D3 for a 150 lb person to achieve that level. Making sure you have adequate vitamin D intake is something you can do to help boost your immunity and protect your health. n
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SiouxFallsWoman.net | Holiday 2022