Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy
Sunshine on my shoulder makes me glad.
That is one of my favorite songs by a favorite singer/composer, and he had good reason to be happy. Sunshine itself is a vital nutrient necessary for our health and well-being. Dr. Berg has a video praising sunshine and how healthy the farmers are around his farm yet their other habits in diet, are lacking. He attributes it to sunshine. Good old Vitamin D
What is Vitamin D?
Your body uses it to absorb minerals like calcium and phosphorus. That makes your teeth and bones strong. Vitamin D also supports your muscles, nerves, and immune system. You can get it from sunshine on your skin and from eating eggs, fatty fish, and fortified foods like milk and cereal.
Why Might You Need More Vitamin D?
Your body probably doesn’t get enough sunshine, get enough from food, especially if you’re vegan or can’t eat dairy, or doesn’t absorb vitamin D as well as it should, or it gets rid of it too quickly
Interesting note: Black people in the U.S. typically have lower levels of vitamin D than their white peers, as darker skin has natural sun protection and needs longer sun exposure to make the vitamin. But they are relatively less affected by lack of vitamin D, as measured by weak bones, falls, and fractures.
Here are some problems with those deficient in Vitamin D
Healing: People deficient in D have problems healing as fast as others with normal levels. Research is ongoing to see if vitamin D supplements can help people recover faster from burns and other wounds.
Osteoporosis: This nasty condition affects a third of women between ages of sixty and seventy, and two thirds of women eighty and older. Seems science doesn’t know what causes it, but the one thing that is known is that not enough vitamin D makes it harder for your body to use the minerals it needs to keep bones strong.
In osteoporosis, this means enlargement of natural spaces in the substance of your bones. They become more “porous,” which makes them more breakable and accounts for the “dowager’s Hump,” seen on the backs of these sweet ladies, or pulling the ropes ringing the bells at Notre Dame. We covered this extensively in an earlier blog.
Muscle Pain : Oh boy, you don’t have to tell me more about this one. People who have pain and weakness in their muscles and bones often don’t have enough vitamin D. In older people especially, weak muscles can raise your chances of falling and breaking a bone. It also may be a sign of osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor if you notice any pain. That could be a warning sign that can go away with vitamin D supplements or changes in diet or lifestyle. My grandma fell, broke a hip, and while she was in her eighties and “strong as a bull,” as my daddy said, she died soon after.
Other Related Conditions: Ongoing research is linking Vitamin D levels to diabetes, high blood multiple sclerosis, and some types of cancer. Scientists continue to study the relationship between vitamin D and serious illness.
At Risk: Breastfed Infants Experts say breastfeeding infants need an extra 400 IU of vitamin D per day.
At Risk: People With Bowel Problems and Gastric Bypass.
Gastric bypass is a type of surgery that removes part of the stomach or intestines (sometimes both) so that you feel fuller faster and eat fewer calories. After the surgery, it’s harder to absorb some nutrients including vitamin B12, copper, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D. Your doctor will probably track your levels and suggest daily vitamin supplements to keep your levels healthy.
At Risk: People Who Are Obese: Sadly enough, this includes the majority of Americans, who are, in my opinion, too fat for me. It is predicted in ten years half of the population will be obese, and many grossly so. Your vitamin D levels are more likely to be lower than someone who isn’t obese. It’s not that your skin makes less vitamin D, it’s that the extra fat under your skin keeps more of it and changes the way it goes into your blood. Diet, lifestyle changes, and supplements can help.
Keep Tabs on Your Vitamin D: A simple blood test can let you know your vitamin D level. Consider a test if you’re homebound, blocked off from sunlight, or have signs of low vitamin D like bone pain, muscle pain, or a condition like osteoporosis. If you think your levels are low, don’t overdo supplements to make up the difference. Just chill on the supplements, and less is more. Just be smart about it.
Did You Ever Consider Having Your Own Private Label?
Would it be cool to have your own private label product you could sell online or otherwise? You see others, including your friends, racking up with online sales of their very own product under their own unique label and wonder if you could do it? Fill out the brief form below to learn all you need to know. You may be surprised. Have a great day!
