I had a blood test last week and the doctor told me that I have a vitamin D deficiency. "What can I do about it?" I asked him. If I get more sunshine I'll increase my chances of sun cancer. I can eat more oily (or non-white flesh) fish, then I'll have more heavy metals in my body. I can eat more egg yolks but doesn't that add to my cholesterol problems.
Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because it is formed by sunlight on our bare skin interacting with enzymes from our kidneys and liver. It is a non-essential nutrient. If we have adequate exposure to sunlight we have no need to obtain it from the food we consume.
Vitamin Children
Deficiency of vitamin D over a few months or years can lead to osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart disease, depression, psoriasis,gum disease and possibly cancer. Lack of vitamin D may lead to tooth decay, fragile bone and rickets in children. For adults psoriasis and retention of excess phosphorous in our kidneys can cause the onset of long term disease.
The best way to improve your vitamin D supplies is to get about 20 to 30 minutes a day exposure of bare skin to sunlight without sun cream. It is best to avoid the harsh UV rays in the middle of the day during summer as these will do your skin more harm than good. People with fair skin need less sunlight and people with dark skin need more sunlight to produce the same quantity of vitamin D.
Foods that supplement our bodies' vitamin D supplies include: butter, greens, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and extra virgin olive oil. Vitamin D helps our bodies utilise calcium and phosphorous more efficiently. Oily fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring are excellent sources of vitamin D, omega-3 and omega-6.
TOP 10 NATURAL VITAMIN D SOURCES:
Sunlight
Ricotta cheese has 5 times more vitamin D than other cheeses
Salmon - 100 grams contains almost twice your average daily requirement
Tuna - 1 serve (100 g) contains 1/3 of your daily requirement
Other fish contain only 1/10 of your requirement
Flounder or sole contain 1/4 of your daily requirement
Full cream milk
Wholesome Cereals that contains nuts and seeds. Some are fortified with vitamin D, calcium or omega-3 as well.
Eggs - 2 eggs contain 1/10 of your needs
Fish liver oils
WARNING: Solariums should be avoided for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency. They emit dangerous UV rays that can lead to skin cancer. These machines are for cosmetic purposes only, not health treatment.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to supplement your body's supplies if it doesn't improve through lifestyle and diet. In extreme cases of vitamin D deficiency he/she may have to inject vitamin D into your bloodstream.
The best remedy is adequate (not too much) sunshine and a variety of foods from the above list 3 or 4 times a week.