Sun Vitamins
Posted by Joy M at 8/1/2009 5:33 PM 
Categories: Health, Diet and Nutrition, Motivation
Tags: Health Diet
Categories: Health, Diet and Nutrition, Motivation
Tags: Health Diet
Jude 1:2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
Today was the first day my outdoor workouts where I was actually a little hot. The sun was beating down on my every step in such a contrast to all the rain we get almost each and every day.
There is a benefit to being in the sun. It provides a valuable dose of vitamin D and studies indicate that Black people aren't getting enough.
In the body sun exposure produces vitamin D. The melanin in black skin provides the benefit of protection from ultra violet rays, while also inhibiting the ability to activate pre-vitamin D. In addition, few Americans get the 30 minutes of daily sun exposure that many experts recommend.
Without the appropriate levels vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many diseases prevalent within the black community, including hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Other studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency results in higher rates of breast and prostate cancer within the African American community,
Other than the sun, food is another option for getting vitamin D. Unfortunately, very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Salmon, tuna, and mackerel and fish liver oils are among the best sources. Fortified foods provide another valuable source that is ready to eat. Breakfast cereals, orange juice, yogurt, and margarine are among the fortifide foods available. With one cup of vitamin D fortified milk, an adult consume about one-fourth of the estimated daily needed.
How much vitamin D do you really need? There seems to be a ton of debate and revision on this. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, charged with determining the daily recommended intake, has called a committee and a study to be complete by May 2010. The National Osteoporosis Foundation state that some may need more than their recommendation of 400 - 800 International Unit (IU) for adults under 50 and 800 - 1000 those over 50. Just this June, the Skin Cancer Foundation adjusted its recommendation for adults from 400 international units (IU) to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D daily. They suggest the consumption of vitamin D from fish sources rather than supplements. This recommendation also provided a good source protein rich in omega 3.
If we continue to get a break from the rain, you may actually be able to get more of the sun's vitamins.
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