Vitamin D Deficiency – Who is at Risk?
Unlike other vitamins, the majority of Vitamin D is not acquired from eating adequate food. Most of our vitamin D comes directly from sunshine. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the US is largely a result of the following:
- people working indoors
- avoiding sunshine out of fear of skin cancer
- living in northern climates (see map)
- overuse of sunscreen
Those at risk for vitamin D deficiency include:
- The elderly
- Those who live in northern latitudes (see map)
- Dark skinned individuals
- Those who avoid sun exposure
- Those who use sunscreen (SPF >8 inhibits vitamin D synthesis by the skin. This includes the use of cosmetics and lotions that contain SPF ingredients)
- Those who work indoors
- Individuals who wear long clothing such as robes or head protection
- Breast fed infants whose mothers are vitamin D deficient
- People who are obese
- Those who have had gastric bypass and gall bladder surgery
- Those with inflammatory bowel diseases
- Those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance
- Those who take cholesterol medications
- Those who take steroid medications
- Chronic antibiotic use
Are you at risk?
New research on vitamin D shows that the average person needs between 2,000 and 6,000 IU of vitamin D per day! Many nutritionist recommend large amounts of dairy as a source of vitamin D. Unfortunately, trying to get your vitamin D by eating dairy is the equivalent of trying to spit out a forest fire! Protect yourself by getting adequate sunshine daily. Have your doctor measure your 25 OH D levels (vitamin D blood test) to assess you for deficiency. You can acquire pharmaceutical grade vitamin D here.
