subject: Top Cause of Vitamin D Deficiency [print this page] Top Cause of Vitamin D Deficiency Top Cause of Vitamin D Deficiency
The primary cause of vitamin D deficiency is lack of adequate exposure to the sun. Vitamin D is produced by ultraviolet rays from the sun entering through the skin, and is crucial to good health. The vitamin D produced through sun exposure is in the form of vitamin D3.
Importance of vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, which is important for strong, healthy bones. Because of this, vitamin D deficiency in the body can contribute to the development of osteoporosis because a lack of vitamin D means less calcium absorption
Vitamin D is important to the modulation of neuromuscular and immune function, and helps to reduce inflammation. The interaction of Vitamin D and the endocrine system helps to balance the production of hormones.
There is now evidence that vitamin D is important for preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other degenerative diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems tolerating glucose, and multiple sclerosis. Specifically, vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing colon, prostate, cervical, lung, or breast cancer, brain tumors, multiple myeloma and even skin cancer.
Sources of vitamin D
Another cause of vitamin D deficiency is that dietary means to increase your intake of vitamin D are low because very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. The best sources are cold water fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fish liver oils .Beef liver, cheese, egg yolk and some mushrooms contain small amounts of Vitamin D. The vitamin D in these foods is in the form of vitamin D3.
Many foods are fortified with vitamin D in the American diet. Most of the milk supply in the United Statesvitamin D fortified. Other vitamin D fortified foods are cereal flours and related products, other dairy products, and calcium-fortified fruit juices and drinks.
Harmful effects of sunscreen
Sunscreen is another cause of vitamin D deficiency. Research indicates over 80% of sunscreen products are not only ineffective at preventing cancer, they can actually cause cancer. In addition, they prevent the access of vitamin D. Sunscreen interferes with vitamin D production by screening out ultraviolet light. Further, the chemicals in sunscreen can break down when exposed to sunlight, and they contain other stabilizing chemicals which penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns.
A diet high in antioxidants can provide an "internal sunscreen". Berries, spirulina and chlorella are high in antioxidants. These types of foods will give your body a barrier to naturally block excessive UV rays. A healthy diet with foods high in vitamin D, and regular, short term exposure to sunshine is your best method of obtaining adequate levels of vitamin D. The cause of vitamin D deficiency can be mitigated by adequate dietary sources and sun exposure.
