Get Outdoors - Get Vitamin D

vitamin D molecule (from Wikipedia)

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based on a news release of Oregon State University

Recent research continues to show that people are not getting nearly enough vitamin D. Although some grain and dairy foods are enriched, the primary source of vitamin D is from exposure to the UV-B radiation of the sun. This triggers phytochemical reactions in the skin to produce the vitamin.

Particularly for those who live in northern temperate zones, vitamin D deficiency in the winter months is common. It is now being nicknamed "nature's antibiotic" for its apparent ability to boost the immune system. "About 70 percent of the population of the United States has insufficient levels of vitamin D," said Adrian Gombart, a principal investigator with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. "This is a critical issue as we learn more about the many roles it may play in fighting infection, balancing your immune response, helping to address autoimmune problems, and even preventing heart disease."

Vitamin D helps serve as the first line of defense in your immune response against minor wounds, cuts, and both bacterial and viral infections. The Oregon State research shows that it causes the "expression" of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide gene, which is the reason for its defensive properties.

Studies continue to find links between deficiency and kidney problems, susceptibility to infection, cancer, slow healing rates, respiratory problems.

It's no myth that sunny winter days lift the spirits. They do actually make us feel better. Take every opportunity you can to get outside during the winter months and stock up on vitamin D.

See the entire article at Eureka
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