SUN DAMAGE OR VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY:  YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE!

Most people know how important it is to protect our skin from sun damage.  But did you know that, while important in the prevention of skin cancer, the use of appropriate sun block and sun avoidance can also lead to a deficiency of Vitamin D? 

Unfortunately, as we have become more diligent about protection from the damaging effects of sunlight, we have developed an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency.  Most people are unaware of the broad range of benefits of Vitamin D and the adverse effects of Vitamin D deficiency.  For example, did you know:

“Vitamin D is a steroid hormone precursor that has recently been found to play a role in a wide variety of diseases. Current research indicates vitamin D deficiency plays a role in causing seventeen varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, and periodontal disease.”  (From The Vitamin D Council: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org ; italics added.)

There really is only one way to know whether you are deficient in Vitamin D:  Ask your health care provider to order a Vitamin D blood test.  Fortunately, there are healthy and natural sources of Vitamin D that can correct the deficiency caused by appropriate sun avoidance.  And there are both healthy and unhealthy “doses” of sun block the average person should use.  Come in and see one of our providers to learn more about whether your vitamin D levels are affecting your health and what you can do to change it!