Why Do I Need It?
Vitamin D plays a part in the bone-building process by helping the body to absorb calcium. If someone doesn't get enough, it could affect the body's ability to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
It's not just about bones, though. Vitamin D is needed for a healthy immune system — helping the body to fight off infections and prevent the development of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Research done in adults suggests that getting enough vitamin D can help lower the chances of developing heart disease, certain cancers, and other serious diseases like diabetes.
Why Don't People Get Enough?
There are several reasons why people don't get enough vitamin D:Less exposure to UV rays. Vitamin D is sometimes called the "sunshine" vitamin. When the sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate bare skin, it sets off a process in the body that produces vitamin D. Since lots of us spend more time on computers and game consoles, we're not outdoors as much as we once were. And, when we do spend time in the sun, more of us are making the wise decision to use sunscreen to block the UV rays that cause sun damage and cancer. Where we live makes a difference, too: If you live in northern U.S. and Canada, it's possible you're not getting the UV exposure required for your body to make enough vitamin D.
Dark skin. The melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) in darker skin protects against sun damage, but it can also block the sun needed to produce vitamin D.
Certain health conditions. Some health conditions, like cystic fibrosis or inflammatory bowel disease, affect how well the body absorbs nutrients, including vitamin D. And, because vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that gets stored in the body's fat cells, obesity increases a person's risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Lower consumption of D-rich foods. Experts recommend eating vitamin D-rich food as the best way to ensure you get enough vitamin D. But many of the best foods — like fatty fish and oil — are not the most popular. These days, most milk is "fortified" with added vitamin D. But lots of times teens often aren't drinking enough milk to get the recommended daily amount.
Vitamin D has been called the new "wonder vitamin." Doctors are learning more and more about its role in good health and the prevention of diseases. Unfortunately, though, most teens don't get enough.
No comments:
Post a Comment