How Important Is Vitamin D?
Every tissue in the body, including the brain, heart, muscles and immune system, has receptors for vitamin D, meaning that this nutrient is needed at proper levels for these tissues to function well.
Studies indicate that the effects of a vitamin D deficiency include an elevated risk of developing (and dying from) cancers of the colon, breast and prostate; high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease; osteoarthritis; and immune-system abnormalities that can result in infections and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Full article on the importance of vitamin D. See our previous report on Vitamin D here.
I find it amusing how research often uncovers contradictory findings. We need sun exposure for Vitamin D. However, if we get too much sun exposure and we are at risk of melanoma. We could drink milk to get Vitamin D, but milk is high in calories and (often) fat, which Americans are told we consume too much of.
I agree Devon. We’re between a rock and a hard place as far as these recommendations go.
Can’t get into vitamin stories. Yawn.
This is also a good vitamin-related post I had bookmarked some time ago. Worht seeing it:
http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/fair-and-balanced-the-case-for-vitamins/
Looks like Linda Gorman at this health blog got the story about six months before the New York Times did. Not surprising.