There is a rising concern about vitamin D deficiency and rickets among infants and children in parts of the United States, England, Greece and Canada says Urbod Nutritionist, Amanda Michie.
A recent study published in the Archives of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reported that predictors of Vitamin D deficiency were: breast-feeding without supplementation and less intake of milk among toddlers. The question is why are we not getting enough vitamin D from natural sources?
The main source of vitamin D is from sunlight. It can be stored in the liver and fatty tissue but it is believed that this storage does not withstand the winter months especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Vitamin D is vitally important for improving mood, bone health, fertility, immune function and energy levels. Our ancestors acquired enough vitamin D due to frequent & consistent exposure to sunlight and a diet rich in vitamin D from organ meat, oily fish and seafood. Our diets today contain very little organ meats or oily fish and because of the trend towards low-fat foods, Vitamin D intake is exceptionally low among certain groups of people.
Desk-bound jobs and an indoor-culture is part of our modern life, however by making small changes to our routine and eating habits may make the difference to our health and wellbeing. Exposing your skin to 20 minutes of sunshine (or light cloud) per day and making sure your diet is rich in oily fish, seafood and eating organ meat or egg yolks if you are a vegetarian could help to improve your vitamin D status.
