The Nutrition Source

Vitamin D and Health

Vitamin D Deficiency: A Global Concern

If you live north of the line connecting San Francisco to Philadelphia and Athens to Beijing, odds are that you don't get enough vitamin D. The same holds true if you don't get outside for at least a 15-minute daily walk in the sun. African-Americans and others with dark skin, as well as older individuals, tend to have much lower levels of vitamin D, as do people who are overweight or obese.

Worldwide, an estimated 1 billion people have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood, and deficiencies can be found in all ethnicities and age groups. (1-3)  Indeed, in industrialized countries, doctors are even seeing the resurgence of rickets, the bone-weakening disease that had been largely eradicated through vitamin D fortification. (4-6)

Why are these widespread vitamin D deficiencies of such great concern? Because research conducted over the past decade suggests that vitamin D plays a much broader disease-fighting role than once thought.

Being “D-ficient” may increase the risk of a host of chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, some cancers, and multiple sclerosis, as well as infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and even the seasonal flu.

More at Harvard School of Public Health

=============================

You would never know.. I got diagnosed with very serious D deficiency and have been on meds for a year, which is VERY long period for this.  Only this week, I am going off the Rx medication and onto the OTC supplement and I can tell you it feels fantastic to come to get treated for Vit D deficiency and to reach normalcy on this.

All, especially women -- Be sure to go get yourself checked, especially if you find you are low in any of the vitamin B's (like B12 or B6)!! This is very treatable.  And, get that sun on your skin early and late in the day!!!!!