Blogging with Lee

Studies validating the importance of vitamin D to human health continue to stream out from research labs around the world. In fact, I have several interesting studies about vitamin D on my desk so I decided to dedicate this week’s update to "the sunshine vitamin."

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes vitamin D: "Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis."

The NIH continues: "Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone and to prevent hypocalcemic tetany. It is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis. Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function and reduction of inflammation."

Today, let’s take a look at a few recent studies that emphasize the importance of vitamin D in our lives:


Americans May Have Low Vitamin D Levels
Only 23% of Americans reach vitamin D levels that experts agree are needed for optimal health, according to newer research.
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Vitamin D Supplements are Recommended for Fair-Skinned Individuals
People with pale skin may need vitamin D supplements because they can’t stay in the sun long enough without getting burned.
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Vitamin D Levels Linked to Multiple Disease Rates
New studies link low vitamin D levels with various rates of diseases, including asthma, multiple sclerosis (MS) and pneumonia.
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