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Vitamin D deficiency.Although vitamin D deficiency is very common its importance is rarely recognised. This vitamin is essential for the absorption of several minerals and can play an important part in our general health. A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS DEFICIENCY. Even here in Australia where we can get good sun exposure, it is a fallacy that we receive adequate amounts of this D vitamin. Unless you live closer to the equator and are able to wear limited clothing you are not going to get sufficient exposure to the sun to meet your vitamin D requirements. Most of us never see much of the sun as we travel to work in covered vehicles, come home in a similar manner, then go about our home tasks and seldom see the sun except possibly at week ends. Older people and particularly people living in elderly hostels are very prone to vitamin D deficiency. It's a shame the benefits of vitamin D are not better recognised as these are the people who are deprived of it most. We see amongst these people large numbers of broken hips and bones. Vitamin D would enhance the absorption of calcium and magnesium both of which are critical for healthy bones and should minimise the broken hip problem we see so much in the elderly. Vitamin D deficiency is known to be associated in osteoporosis, diabetes and high blood pressure. Many researchers also assert that stroke, heart disease, gum disease, & certain forms of cancer could be associated with this deficiency. Our bodies require around 4,000 International Units (1000 micrograms of Vitamin D per day) and by the way, use of sunscreens doesn't just stop sunburn, it also stops the creation of vitamin D from the sun. Foods like egg yolks, cod liver oil, North sea salmon (not the farmed fish which now represents the bulk of our salmon supply) plus herring and mackerel. All these contain limited sources of vitamin D. A glass of good quality milk, preferably unprocessed (if you can find it), can provide a minimal amount of vitamin D (about 1000 iu). Sensible sunlight exposure remains the safest, easiest, and most effective method to maintain optimal Vitamin D levels. There are many benefits of vitamin D, without it your body cannot absorb or utilise calcium and magnesium and this problem can affect us as we get older because we tend to wear warmer clothing and therefore get even less sun exposure. Vitamin D3 - known as Cholecalciferol, is the only form of Vitamin D supplement that should be taken. It's the only naturally-occurring form that our bodies properly recognise. All other forms of Vitamin D are synthetic or artificial chemical copies. Here is another informative article on vitamin D.
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