Vitamin D can help fight heart disease, cancer and chronic fatigue
By Betty Murray
How much sun did you get today? Exposure to the sun boosts production of vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is crucial to our overall health, but many people don’t understand the benefits of vitamin D.
Vitamin D can help protect against diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, depression, insomnia and overactive immune system. Getting adequate amounts of vitamin D can also help fight chronic fatigue.
Researchers at the University College of London Hospitals NHS Trust in London found that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome had lower serum vitamin D levels, compared to others. If you suffer from chronic fatigue, exposure to the sun and eating foods high in vitamin D can help fight fatigue. Read more here.
The best source of vitamin D is natural sunlight, but it can also be found in a variety of foods, including seafood such as salmon and mackerel, as well as orange juice and organic dairy products. For a complete list of foods containing vitamin D, click here.
The body produces vitamin D when it is exposed to UV-B rays from the sun. It is estimated that a fair-skinned individual can produce around 10,000 IUs of vitamin D after spending just 10 minutes in midday sun wearing shorts, a sleeveless shirt and no sunscreen. The recommended amount of vitamin D for individuals under 50 is 200 IUs per day, 400 IUs per day for individuals between 50 and 70 years of age and 600 IUs per day for those over 70.
If you are unable to get at least 10 minutes of sunlight each day, you may benefit from a vitamin D supplement. Getting enough vitamin D is important to your overall health. You will feel more energized, sleep better at night and be better able to fight disease.
Betty Murray, CN, HHC, RYT is a Certified Nutritionist & Holistic Health Counselor, founder of the Dallas-based integrative medical center, Wellness and founder of the Metabolic Blueprint wellness program. Betty’s nutrition counseling practice specializes in metabolic and digestive disorders and weight loss resistance. A master of the biochemistry of the body, Betty teaches her clients how to utilize nutritional interventions to improve their health. Betty is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.
See other content
Diet Soda is Still Diet, Right?
By Betty Murray Don’t be fooled by the name. Diet soda—although calorie free and sugar free—is not healthy. The calories and sugar in diet soda are replaced with other ingredients that contribute to weight gain, among other health issues. Studies have
Eating Your Emotions
By Betty Murray In our culture today, eating is emotional. We eat foods we love and foods that make us feel good. Eating is often psychological—a matter of pleasure, comfort, or of care. We eat to celebrate. We eat to grieve.
Snooze Your Way to Good Health
By Betty MurrayIf you are consistently depriving yourself of sleep, the consequences can be far more serious than simply being “sleepy” the next day. Lack of sleep is detrimental to your health and well being. Why sleep matters for your health