We have all seen the recent news headlines about the epidemic in Vitamin D deficiency. What is all the hype about? First, let’s examine why this vitamin is so important.

Why We Need Vitamin D

It is estimated that almost 60% of the world is deficient in Vitamin D. This vital nutrient is essential to a healthy mind, body and soul. According to Dr. Mercola, the renowned wholistic health practitioner,  of the 30,000 genes in the human body, Vitamin D has a positive influence on over 2,000 of them. Vitamin D has been credited with:

• Preventing diabetes, by helping to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Protecting against the flu, by equipping T-cells to fight infections.
• Combating against depression, by increasing brain serotonin levels.

Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with cancer, kidney failure, ADHD, asthma, and heart disease to name a few.

Before you make a mad dash to your local pharmacy for a Vitamin D shot (ouch!), take heed. Getting your recommended allowance of Vitamin D is a lot easier than you think.

The Best Source of Vitamin D

Whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly should proceed thus: in the first place to consider the seasons of the year.
~ Hippocrates, the father of medicine (circa 400 B.C.).

You don’t need synthetic tablets or fortified cereal or milk to get the Vitamin D you need. The sun provides the absolute best source of Vitamin D. (And it’s free! Who could ask for anything more?)

The average person needs 10 to 20 minutes of sunshine per day to get their necessary levels of Vitamin D. Persons of color should get even more–20 to 30 minutes per day–because it takes longer for sunlight to absorb into the skin, due to the higher amounts of melanin.

During the warmer months when I am at work, I eat my lunch outside, choosing a spot directly in the sunlight. I have noticed a dramatic difference in my skin since spending more time outside–I have been told it actually glows!  (Note: Using sunblock actually prevents your body from absorbing the key nutrients that it needs from the sunlight.)

Spring has arrived (yay!) and summer is right around the corner.  Spend some time basking in the rays of the sun for this crucial vitamin–the D stands for delight!–and notice the difference in your health.

Do you spend a lot of time outside? Have you noticed any changes in your body and mood?