You might be reading this article while relaxing on a beach, sitting on a sunny porch or sun deck; however, it is recommended that you get your vitamin D levels checked even if the winter has still not arrived.

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Most people are aware of the fact that deficiency of vitamin D is one of the major causes of osteoporosis, cognitive delay, and many other health problems. However, two recent studies have found the link between low levels of vitamin D and increasing risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Some individuals are under the impression that levels of vitamin D will consequently increase during the summer months when they will spend large portions of their day basking in the sunlight. However, the scary fact is that more than two-thirds of people in the US not just have low level of vitamin D, but they are found to be highly deficient too. A few days of sunshine per year is not enough to raise the level of vitamin D to optimum level.

What Studies Have To Say

The latest research, which was published in the BMJ, found that individuals deficient in circulating vitamin D were thirty-five percent at higher risk to die from heart ailments and fourteen percent at higher risk to die from cancer. Moreover, they were found to have enhanced mortality rate too. The results of the study indicate that people who took oral type of vitamin D3, which is usually found in dairy products, fatty wild fish, and secreted by our body when we sit under the sunlight- decreases their threat of death by eleven percent.

Another study that was conducted by the researchers of Stanford and various other universities of Europe found an optimistic link between high levels of vitamin D and lower frequency of various forms of diseases including heart stroke, diabetes, and hypertension

The result of the study is evident: If you are deficient in vitamin D, then you are at an increased risk of developing a host of diseases. Vitamin D is responsible for increasing your immunity power. And, the lack of vitamin D makes you more vulnerable to get afflicted with cancer and other diseases. When your body’s immunity is working appropriately, it effectively destroys abnormal cells, forgiven invaders and abnormal genes, and in turns protects you from diseases. On the other hand, if your immunity power is weak, your body may not be able to differentiation between healthy and cancerous cells. Dr. Jennifer Landa, the Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD found most of her patients with the deficiency of vitamin D who visited her office unaware of their condition.

So, how do you ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D? Below are mentioned a few of the important ways suggested by Dr. Landa to get some natural vitamin D during the summer:

  • Get Examined: This is one of the important steps in order to determine the accurate amounts of vitamin D in your body. 25-OH vitamin test is one of the surefire ways to ensure the level of vitamin D in your body. The standard normal range of vitamin D falls between thirty and ninety nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL). However, Dr. Landa proposes an individual to have more than fifty nanograms/milliliter of vitamin D as this much amount is necessary to help prevent diseases.
  • Take Vitamin D3 Supplement: Although the researchers of the studies have not said anything about vitamin D3 supplementation, it is pertinent that you should take oral supplements of vitamin D3 in order to boost your vitamin D level. Also, it is wrong to accept that your vitamin D level will be perfect if you are living in a warm climate. Even in the sunshine state, Florida, there are many patients who are deficient in vitamin D. Dr. Landa practices medicine in Florida and has found many people with low levels of vitamin D. She herself takes vitamin D supplementation and advises the same to her patients too.Individuals deficient in vitamin D should ensure to take at least 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 (not D2) every day for three months. They should also get their levels checked again to find the amount of vitamin D gained. If the level of vitamin D is still low, it is recommended to take 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 supplement, but under the guidance of a doctor. It is important to note that vitamin D is fat soluble, and thus should be taken with a fat. So, take it with 1,000 mgs of omega-3 fish oil- either in capsules or liquid form.
  • Bask In Sun Rays: Sunshine in summer is the best way to naturally increase your level of vitamin D. However, it is recommended only to get a few minutes of sunrays without sunscreen. Sunscreen is necessary to protect your skin from overexposure to sunlight. If you are dark skinned, you can bask in sunrays for about fifteen to twenty minutes. But, people with lighter skin tones and those with a history of skin cancer should consult their dermatologist first.

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