Vitamin D is Good for your Bones!

Vitamin D Is Good for Your Bones, and Perhaps Much More!

 Kerry L. Burnstein, Ph.D., is Professor and Graduate Program Director of the Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and member of the Genitourinary Malignancies Program at Sylvester. At a recent Pap Corps Presidents’ Meeting she spoke about Vitamin D, which current research has shown to be extremely beneficial for maintaining good health.

 Vitamin D is good for one’s bones but is often deficient in the elderly. The deficiency in this population has two causes:  insufficient dietary intake of foods rich in D; and lack of

adequate sunshine, since many are housebound. Due in part to the use of sunscreen, D deficiency is also on the rise in the general population. Severe vitamin D deficiency can result in osteomalacia, an abnormal softening of one's bones.Vitamin D circulates in the blood and acts on many tissues. Blood work can indicate if you are getting an adequate supply. Vitamin D is a hormone that is produced in the body by the action of the sun's UV rays on the skin. This process requires approximately 15-20 minutes in the sun. The season and latitude affect vitamin D production, as does skin type - darker skins, which contain more melanin, are less efficient at producing vitamin D. It's important to note that a large amount of skin, most of one's body, must be exposed to initiate D production. Keep in mind, however, that sunlight can cause skin cancer.

 Both laboratory and population studies suggest that vitamin D may protect against a variety of cancers, including prostate, breast and colon. Many physicians and scientists believe the current recommended daily intake of vitamin D, which ranges from 400 IU to 600 IU for adults, is too low to achieve the full health benefits of D.

 Food sources of D include milk that is supplemented at levels designed to prevent rickets in children, and oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna and sardines. Vitamin D can also be obtained from dietary supplements.

 The information given here is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. Please consult your healthcare professional about your personal medical needs and condition.