You are the sunshine of my life

I spent the first 9 years of my dietetics career in a clinic setting. One of my responsibilities was to ensure my patients were getting enough nutrition. How did we check? Blood work, of course.

I ordered huge panels of labs that patients were expected to complete yearly. Hands down the MOST common vitamin deficiency was vitamin D. It felt like 99% of patients were low, if not very deficient. 

Most physicians don't routinely check for vitamin D so it's very important to know if you're really getting all the vitamin D you need. The main function of vitamin D is to help you absorb calcium properly- your bones would suffer without it! It's also believed that vitamin D has a role in your immune system's functioning as well. 

A new study from the University of Michigan found that vitamin D deficiency in elementary school age children may be linked with behavioral problems in adolescence. Children with deficiencies were almost twice as likely to have aggressive and defiance problems. Is this alarmist? In my opinion, no, but it goes to show that there is so much we do not yet know about vitamins and minerals. 

Since vitamin D is so important- for bone health and possible mental health- how can we get enough? You've likely heard that the sun is a source of vitamin D. How does that work? It's not like the sun is spewing invisible molecules of vitamin D, but rather when the sun's rays hit our (un-sunscreened) skin, the cholesterol in our skin produces vitamin D. 

I live in Minnesota- a fairly northern climate. Sure, on a sunny summer day we can get enough sun to help us produce vitamin D...but what about, oh, October through April? Research indicates that we likely need 13-30 minutes of sun exposure to bare arms and legs at least a few times a week to produce optimal vitamin D. 

Aaaaaand that is why I take this:

Make sure you discuss the proper dosage YOU may need with your doctor. For me, it's 2000 IU most days of the week during fall/winter/spring months. Current recommendations are for children ages 1-18 take in 600 IU per day. 

Seeing as we have a little bit of summer left, might as well roll up your sleeves and take your lunch break outside- your excuse is truly that you need to get some of that vitamin D!