Approximately three-quarters of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin.” The cause of many people being deficient is the fact that they are trapped in their Dilbert Cube all day and can’t get any sun. The best time to be exposed to the sun is between 10am and 2pm. All you need is 10 to 15 minutes.
Today’s fast-paced work environment and sluggish economy have left many employees with more work and less time to do it, making the once-cherished midday lunch break a disappearing option. Instead we are opting to sit at our desk all day. Not good!
Only a third of American workers say they take a lunch break, according to a Web survey conducted last year by Right Management, a human resources consulting firm. The survey also found that 65% of workers eat at their desks or don’t take a break at all. No wonder we starting to be more deficient in Vitamin D.
However, there is no longer any doubt that regular, unfiltered sunlight exposure, which helps promote and maintain optimal blood levels of vitamin D, plays a critical role in health promotion and disease prevention.
However, according to WebMD, “Vitamin D is a star nutrient these days, as research links it to numerous health benefits. Studies suggest vitamin D may go beyond its well-established role in bone health and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and more.”
What makes vitamin D unique is that it is a vitamin and also a hormone your body can make from the sun. Despite the ability to get vitamin D from food and the sun, an estimated 40%-75% of people are deficient.
What can you do about your deficiency?
Get outside and get some sun. If you need a boost, talk to your doctor about Vitamin D2 pills. He/she might recommend brands like Calciferol or Drisdol.