My mom mentioned to me a few weeks ago her vitamin D levels were low. A type 1 diabetic, she visits her internist around three times a year. This round of blood work showed a deficiency. She felt it odd, considering she religiously takes 400 I.U. of vitamin D daily and participates in sunny outdoor activities year-round. On the advice of her internist, she doubled her dose.
A new study released in the June issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals vitamin D levels can remain low in many individuals soaking up abundant sunshine. This is contrary to the current clinical recommendation which calls for sun exposure on hands and face for 15 minutes for sufficient vitamin D.
Researchers measured vitamin D levels in 93 Hawaiians with high amounts of self-reported sun exposure. Participants had at least three or more hours of sun exposure per day on five or more days per week over the past three months. After measuring for vitamin D, 51 percent of the subjects had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below 30 ng/mL, considered low vitamin D status.
Low vitamin D levels contribute to osteoporosis and osteomalacia/rickets, and may also play a role in cancers, multiple sclerosis, infection, hypertensions and even diabetes. Never knew indequate vitamin D levels and diabetes were even remotely connected. A 2001 Finnish study showed a relationship between low vitamin D in children and development of type 1 diabetes.
An aside, hope the sun is shining on your Fourth of July festivities!
