Got Vitamin D? Not likely. One billion people worldwide are estimated to be Vitamin D deficient. As a skin care professional, I have researched Vitamin D for years because it is made in the skin.
In fact, Vitamin D is the only vitamin which the body makes (all others come from food). After being made in the skin, Vitamin D is converted to a hormone. When Vitamin D hormone levels are balanced, a lot of skin conditions will improve such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and heavy wrinkling.
In addition, Vitamin D…
- Sufficiency may be as important to disease prevention as eating healthy and working out.
- Deficiency may be linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, bone loss, eczema, psoriasis, depression, and many other serious health conditions.
- Directly or indirectly controls over 1,000 genes in the body.
Seasonal variations (such as dreary weather in the winter), geographical location, and aging reduce our skin’s ability to manufacture Vitamin D from sunlight. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, very few foods naturally have Vitamin D. Foods to look for as great, natural sources of D include:
- Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are among the best sources.
- Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks provide small amounts.
- Almost all of the U.S. milk supply is fortified with 400 IU of Vitamin D per quart. But, foods made from milk, such as cheese and ice cream, are usually not fortified.
- Vitamin D is added to many breakfast cereals and to some brands of orange juice, yogurt, margarine, and soy beverages; check the labels.
- Mushrooms. In some mushrooms that are available in stores, the Vitamin D content is being boosted by exposing them to ultraviolet light. Personally, this source was the most compelling for me as a viable option for vegans and those who follow a raw diet. It resulted in my company, Skin Authority, partnering with Dole Nutrition Institute for the first whole food source of Vitamin D on the market.
Just like everything else in life – you have to have balance when it comes to Vitamin D. A rule of thumb: USDA daily requirement is 600 IU per day. Many physicians are recommending a higher level of about 1,200 IU per day.
