Millions of U.S. adolescents are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to stunted growth and osteoporosis. Over the long term, this may even result in certain cancers, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Vitamin D deficiency, which doctors are calling an "unrecognized epidemic," often occurs without anyone knowing and is therefore left untreated. Youth who do not spend much time outdoors, or those who live in northern cities were sunlight is less intense, are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, along with darker skinned individuals, who do not absorb sunlight as easily as lighter-skinned individuals.
Yahoo News September 1, 2003
Very few doctors actually do the blood test for vitamin D. Unfortunately, youngsters suffering from vitamin D deficiency often don't have symptoms until it has advanced to the point of causing fractures or rickets, a bone-weakening disease that doctors think may be on the rise. One of the nation’s leading vitamin D experts, Dr. Hollick, believes that as many as one-third of youngsters are deficient in vitamin D.
On a side note, it couldn't be any clearer that vitamin D is essential for the prevention of not only prostate cancer but also breast cancer. That is why African Americans have higher incidences of both--their dark skin limits UV-B from entering the skin and converting cholesterol to vitamin D.
It is important to understand that at this time of year the sun is becoming a progressively less important source of vitamin D, and the time is coming to switch over from fish oil to cod liver oil, which contains natural vitamin D. I recommend Carlson’s cod liver oil because its quality, purity and freshness are superior to other brands I have tried. You may be able to find it in your local health food store, or you can purchase Carlson’s cod liver oil in our store.
However, please use caution when taking cod liver oil, as it is possible to overdose on vitamin D. If you have an excess of vitamin D you will actually cause all the problems it treats--you will actually worsen your bone density and cause heart disease if your vitamin D levels are excessive.
So please do yourself a favor--read the article on vitamin D testing and be sure to have your level measured.
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