Vitamin D is not really a vitamin, but an essential dietary vitamin. This means that it’s something all mammals synthesize on their own through direct sunlight. But what happens if our body does not produce enough of this important vitamin? According to the “2000-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey”, 50 to 78% of people were Vitamin D deficient. This percentage differed between the 50 and 78% mark depending on the group surveyed: Caucasian, Hispanics, or Blacks. Are you one of them?
Why Are People Vitamin D Deficient?
Your body can make Vitamin D by being exposed to sunlight on a clear day for just 10 minutes a day, but most people are either too sedentary or too health conscious to be out in the sun for any length of time at all, especially when the requirements include minimal clothing and no sun block. Most people do not eat enough Vitamin D rich foods each day, which include things like: beef, tuna, sardines, liver, mackerel, and salmon. Vitamin D is added to milk, since the body cannot absorb calcium without it, but you would have to drink a quart of milk every day to get enough Vitamin D from it to meet your daily requirements. Most people do not get enough Vitamin D.
How Do I Know If I Am Deficient?
Since there are no early deficiency symptoms for Vitamin D, the best way to find out if you have one is by getting a blood test. There are, however, deficiency symptoms of Vitamin D later on. Some of the signs include: muscle weakness, bone pain, reoccurring flu, and reoccurring respiratory illnesses, especially in children. If you have any of these symptoms, you should start on a good vitamin immediately to avoid getting any more deficient, which leads to other health problems.
How Do I Fix It?
The key is to keep yourself from getting deficient in the first place! Because we do not usually get enough Vitamin D from the sunlight or our diet, it is important to get a good supplement. There are several great ones out there, including: Vitamin D Supreme with Vitamin K, Vitamin D Synergy w/ Vitamin K1, and Vitamin D-3 2000 IU. Get active and take charge of your health!
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