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There have been an astonishing number of articles about vitamin D in the past few months. Nearly all of the media relates two facts: that vitamin D has important health benefits, and that many of us don’t get enough of it.
Our bodies create vitamin D as the result of exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is also found in fish, dairy, and egg yolk. It is vital for the formation of strong bones, muscles, and a healthy immune system. People who live in northern climates, with less sun exposure, may need to take vitamin D supplements (don’t go over the recommended dosage of 1,000 IU/ day, though, as too much vitamin D can be dangerous).Â
In addition to these well-established functions of vitamin D, current research has found that vitamin D may even be a factor for conditions such as back pain and breast cancer in women. A study of senior women found that those with lower levels of vitamin D had higher rates of back pain. In a separate study, women with breast cancer who had lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to die of their cancer or have their cancer spread.
Sufficient Vitamin D seems especially important for babies and children. Babies who do not receive enough vitamin D in the womb are more likely to be born with soft skulls. Another group of researchers found that infants who were given vitamin D supplementation were less likely to develop type I diabetes. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency appears to be common in children in the United States.Â
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