get out in the sun for your daily vitamin D

There has been a lot in the news about vitamin D recently...which really isn't suprising since we all slather on sunscreen and don't eat much of the foods that contain vitamin D.

Vitamin D is unique in that it isn't a vitamin, it's a hormone, and the body can produce it through exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is important to bone growth as well as many other organ functions in the body. Some studies suggest that vitamin D intake during pregnancy can help prevent MS in children. Other studies suggest it can help prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

The average adult needs approximately 400 IU of vitamin D a day. This can easily be obtained by spending a little time outdoors (10-15 minuts) before sunscreen is applied. Foods that contain vitamin D include fortified milks and cereals as well as fatty fish like tuna and salmon. I wouldn't recommend supplementing your diet with supplements unless you don't drink milk and can't get outside a couple of times a week. The body stops producing vitamin D when the needs are met to prevent toxic levels from sun exposure however when taking supplements you could exceed the recommended levels. Toxic levels of vitamin D raises the level of calcium in the blood which could lead to kidney stones and calcification of blood vessels.