Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem in the United States? According to William B. Grant, Ph.D., a top vitamin D researcher, an estimated 80 – 90 percent of Americans are currently at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that there is a large and growing list of diseases related to vitamin D deficiency. Bone diseases, such as rickets, osteopenia, osteoporosis and osteomalacia are fairly well known. Other conditions include muscle pain and weakness, about 16 types of internal cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
Vitamin D is produced in the body when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, making summer the perfect time to absorb this important vitamin.
To get the recommended 15 – 30 minutes of sunlight needed, take your workout outside!
(You can read the report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/bonehealth/docs/Osteo10sep04.pdf)