The winters are long here in Wisconsin. In fact I am sitting by a window watching the snow come down on this late March day. I am also hoping that this is the last one of the year. Us northerners do not get a lot of sun exposure during the long late autumn, winter and early spring months (which equates to about 6 months). This can be a problem since the sun helps our skin make vit D. Add this to the use of sunscreen during the few sunny months here and you have a recipe for a Vit D deficiency.
Well, after reading through a number of studies on Vit D, I found this one that basically says that we northerners are not alone in needing vit D. In fact it may be that many more Americans are in need of boosting their vit D intake.
It seems that a blood level of 30-40 nanograms per milliliter are needed to ward off the many health problems associated with vit D deficiency.
In this study conducted by the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine researchers studied vit D levels in Americans from 1988-1994 and found the mean blood level to be 30 nanograms/ml. This compared to 24 nanograms/ml from 2001-2004. This means that blood levels of vit D seem to be decreasing in Americans.
The researchers recommended that we boost our vit D intake by taking supplements (unless you frequently bask in the sun). They recommended at least 1000 iu per day and more for us northerners.
In my personal experience I have boosted my intake to about 6000 iu/day during the winter months and then reduce that to about 2000 iu/day during the summer months. I am not one to tan and do use sunscreen and limit my exposure. But I still work in the yard and am outdoors much more in the summer.
Peace and Healing,
Dr. Bruce
Learn more about a new theory of healing:
www.informationalhealing.com References:
Ginde et al. Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009; 169 (6): 626 DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.604
Well, after reading through a number of studies on Vit D, I found this one that basically says that we northerners are not alone in needing vit D. In fact it may be that many more Americans are in need of boosting their vit D intake.
It seems that a blood level of 30-40 nanograms per milliliter are needed to ward off the many health problems associated with vit D deficiency.
In this study conducted by the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine researchers studied vit D levels in Americans from 1988-1994 and found the mean blood level to be 30 nanograms/ml. This compared to 24 nanograms/ml from 2001-2004. This means that blood levels of vit D seem to be decreasing in Americans.
The researchers recommended that we boost our vit D intake by taking supplements (unless you frequently bask in the sun). They recommended at least 1000 iu per day and more for us northerners.
In my personal experience I have boosted my intake to about 6000 iu/day during the winter months and then reduce that to about 2000 iu/day during the summer months. I am not one to tan and do use sunscreen and limit my exposure. But I still work in the yard and am outdoors much more in the summer.
Peace and Healing,
Dr. Bruce
Learn more about a new theory of healing:
www.informationalhealing.com
References:
Ginde et al. Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009; 169 (6): 626 DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.604