Vitamin D

Summer is the time of sun and, with exposure to the outdoors, you can reap the benefits of an important vitamin—Vitamin D. While the main source for vitamin D is sunlight, some individuals, like children and pregnant women, require more, which they can get through supplements such as vitamin D milk or prenatal vitamins. Here are some of the functions and facts about vitamin D.

• It promotes calcium absorption, making it crucial in bone formation and preventing osteoporosis.

• Children with vitamin D deficiency may develop rickets, a softening of the bones characterized by bowed legs. This problem is common in developing countries.

• Vitamin D has also been found to help protect against a number of diseases, such as autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis), multiple sclerosis, and colon, breast, and prostate cancer

• Researchers have recently found that there is widespread vitamin D deficiency in the United States, likely resulting from decreases in milk consumption and more sun protection.

• If you don't want to risks associated with sun exposure, make sure to get vitamin D in your diet. Good dietary sources of vitamin D are milk products, egg yolks, and fish (catfish, salmon, sardines, and tuna).

The last time I visited the doctor, a blood test revealed that everything was A-OK with me except I had no Vitamin D, even though I do drink a lot of milk. I now take one of these everyday...