Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Vitamin D and Your Skin


  
Photo courtesy of Imagery Magestic/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
There is one essential vitamin your skin absorbs, and that’s vitamin D. It is best received naturally from the sun, but those living in colder climates experience little-to-no sun exposure during the winter. So much so, northerners usually suffer from D-deficiency more than those living in warmer climates.

Although the recommended daily amount is 600 IUs for adults, still check with your doctor as you may need more or less than what’s recommended. Once you’ve been exposed to sunlight it converts into D3, which is stored and can be used by the body.

A D-deficiency has been linked to diabetes, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer, hair loss, a weakened immune system and the list goes on. An adequate amount lends itself to being a great source of calcium and phosphorous. Vitamin-D's benefits leave many western medical physicians at odds, as research shows that high levels of Vitamin-D can reverse a variety autoimmune diseases. Of course, other studies report the opposite. Perhaps, listen to your body and be your own judge.

If you prefer to have doses of vitamin D naturally, then get at least 15 minutes of direct sun exposure daily. Supplements, salmon and fortified dairy also contain vitamin D, but sometimes not enough (depending on your geographical location, skin type and season).

However, there are benefits to absorbing vitamin D through the skin as it has been found to reduce the appearance of dark spot and wrinkles while stimulating the skin’s elasticity, collagen production and increased radiance. In addition to the sunshine, there are products enhanced with vitamin D to be used topically.

Image courtesy of Carlos Porto/FreeDigitalPhotos.ent
If you choose to get your vitamin D from the sun, which is also needed for healthy hair growth; then be play it smart. Wear a sun hat when needed (sun blazing days), moisturize your skin and drink plenty of water. Oh, and if you’re beginning to feel as if you’ve had enough sunlight (experiencing symptoms of fatigue or dizziness), then step inside to cool down.

As always, my advice is to trust your instincts, but also consult a health care provider for necessary guidance and to help you sort through which approach to vitamin D consumption is best for you.


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