More Than Just Healthy Bones

When I was a kid - now I'm just an old goat - we were taught in school that vitamin D was needed for strong teeth and healthy bones. Before milk was fortified with vitamin D, rickets was a common malady. Milk was an obvious choice for adding vitamin D, as it was already established as a good source of calcium and was a part of the diet of children already. More on milk and calcium later.

Turns out that several recent studies have linked vitamin D with cancer prevention. Let me say that again. Vitamin D has been linked to cancer prevention in multiple studies. Vitamin D has also been shown to be an effective weapon against Seasonal Affective Disorder. Turns out the “winter blues” that affect so many people are a very real mental disorder linked to low levels of vitamin D.

The best way to get your vitamin D is by getting a generous amount of direct sunlight. We all feel better standing in the sun. Part of that emotional lift comes from your own body's production of Vitamin D. That said, those of us in the northern part of the world or who have indoor jobs will find it difficult to go out and catch some rays. This is where supplemental Vitamin D can be a great choice.

When choosing a Vitamin D supplement, I look for the label D3 or Cholecalciferol. This form of Vitamin D is most like what the body produces and is more readily absorbed. I suggest 2000 to 5000 IU a day. If you spend 10 minutes in direct sunlight your body can produce up to the equivalent of 10,000 IU.