Three-quarters of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in Vitamin D, the so-called “sunshine vitamin” whose deficits are increasingly blamed for everything from cancer and heart disease to diabetes, according to new research.

Having grown up in the Sunshine State (and now, after spending 20 years on the west coast) “Vitamin D deficiency” is just about the last thing I would’ve expected to hear when last week’s lab results came in and yet, just before the Memorial Day weekend, I got a call from my Doctor telling me just that.

As Nutritionist and Health Coach, I have to admit, I was a little taken aback.

I live in California.

I have a healthy diet.

But…

I also work inside.

And I’m much more mindful of sun exposure* (remember the days we rubbed baby oil on our skin and put Sun-in in our hair)?

SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, the type our bodies use to make D. Skin also has a harder time producing vitamin D with age.

So why does it matter if I’m Vitamin D deficient?

To begin with, Vitamin D affects a variety of systems:

• Mood: low levels can contribute to, or cause depression and anxiety
• Sleep: low levels can cause disruption in healthy sleep patterns
• Bone: severe and prolonged Vitamin D deficiency can cause a disease called “Ricketts”, but even low levels of deficiency can cause bone and joint pain
• Energy: persistently low levels can contribute to feelings of fatigue
• Disease: research now shows that Vitamin D deficiency lowers immune function, contributes to heart disease and increases the risk of some types of cancers.

Long associated with bone health, Vitamin D also helps to regulate the immune system, lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of Type-2 diabetes.

It’s amazing to think that one “little vitamin” can do so much!

RESOURCES:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vitamin-d-deficiency-united-states/

https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a20437976/foods-high-in-vitamin-d/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/