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Vitamin D builds bones, eases pain Date published: 3/19/2006
JUST AS PLANTS SOAK UP sunlight and transform it into life-giving food, our skin can transform sunshine into vitamin D. But in American cities, most people don't get enough sun to make enough vitamin D. Dermatologists warn us to avoid the sun for fear of skin cancer. It's also hard to get enough vitamin D from foods. Scientists warn that two-thirds of older Americans--and many younger adults and children--just don't get enough of this vital nutrient. Vitamin D protects the bones and may reduce the risk of diabetes and cancers of Even if people got as much Vitamin D as is currently recommended, it might not be enough. Some experts argue the recommendations should be at least double what they are now. The recommended amounts vary by age, but some experts say people of all ages should get at least 800 units day. That's the equivalent of about 8 glasses of milk. You are at riskIf you spend your winters here in the U.S., you are not getting enough sun to make sufficient vitamin D. And if you have a darker complexion, you're even more at risk and need to get vitamin D from food or supplements. A national survey of more than 16,000 American showed that 95 percent of people over 50 do not get enough vitamin D from food alone. Older Americans who take vitamins do better, but still only 65 percent of white, 83 percent of Hispanic and 90 percent of black seniors meet the current recommendations. Older people are especially at risk of suffering from Vitamin D deficiencies. As people age, they need more vitamin D to keep from developing osteoporosis, or brittle bones. Hispanic and African-Americans have higher needs, as do some people with liver and kidney disease. So do people with digestive problems such as pancreatitis, celiac disease, and intestinal surgeries. People taking glucocorticoid medications for allergies and lung disease may have higher needs as well. And for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplements for breastfed babies and any child who drinks less than 2 cups of milk or formula daily. Protect bones
Date published: 3/19/2006
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