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.