Avoiding Vitamin D may hinder health

With the spring and summer seasons upon us, millions are resupplying their shelves with sunblock and in the process may be increasing their chances of cancer. Surprised? I’m not in principle though the exact danger is different than I thought it might be.
For decades there have been advertisements and various reports that have stated that exposure to the sun is dangerous. Skin cancer is one of the fears many have, and ever so many are concerned about sunburns and getting just the right shade of tan. For all those concerns various degrees of lotions blocking the rays of the sun have been developed. And not a single thought was given to the obvious negative of avoiding what nature provides everyday.

I have to mention the obvious ludicrous nature of all this. Billions are spent every year in trips and lotions and suntan machines to attain a ‘healthy’ color. Essentially every dollar is being spent to go from pale to a shade of black because it’s considered a better look. Yet in America, and other nations, actually being Black – of whatever natural shade - is a negative for many and carries harsh stereotypes. You have to note the absurdity of the situation.

But as I was saying, all these lotions and activities to avoid the natural and life-giving sunlight has the effect of reducing the vitamin D received in our bodies. Few ever considered this to be a danger and international standards view 200 to 600 units of Vitamin D to be sufficient. That is until now.

Health Canada and the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board are now investigating the link between deficient levels of vitamin D and cancer, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis. It’s already known that increased levels of Vitamin D (below 2000 units) can lead to improved muscle strength, lesser fracture rates and prevention of some types of cancers. But Dr. Michael Holick, professor of medicine at Boston University, feels that most are unaware of what damage may be done in blocking the best and natual source of the essential vitamin.

Some of the key points Dr. Holick has maded in a recent lecture include:

Vitamin D deficiency is more common than previously thought and some groups are at higher risk. Thirty percent to 50 percent of African-Americans are estimated to have low levels of vitamin D because their skin pigment blocks vitamin D production. Obese people tend to sequester vitamin D in their fat so blood levels can be low.

Most of us need 1,000 IU of vitamin D a day; both vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, which is added to milk) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, which is found in some supplements) can maintain healthy blood levels.

Vitamin D is crucial for bone health because it allows our bodies to absorb calcium.

Foods are a poor source of vitamin D, but exposure to small amounts of sunlight (5 to 15 minutes) twice a week is enough for most people to make vitamin D.

It would seem that most of us, even African Americans like myself, need to get out in that sunlight a bit more. So the next time you are going out you might want to not use that SPF 500 but instead just go out and let nature take its course. You’ll help keep yourself healthy and get a natural look, all while saving a bit of money. It doesn’t get easier than that.