Why is Vitamin D called the “sunshine vitamin”?
VITAMIN D ESSENTIALS
Why is Vitamin D called the “sunshine vitamin”?
Ažurirano 3. 12. 2020.
Updated December 3, 2020
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- Vitamin D is unique in more ways than one, but it's main distinct characteristic is that, while most vitamins are readily available in some foods, Vitamin D's primary source is the body itself (with a little help from the sun)!
Sensible sun exposure of bare skin for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times per week, allows most people to produce sufficient vitamin D. However, vitamin D breaks down quite quickly, meaning that storage can run low, especially in winter or under conditions that limit your exposure to the sun.
- Unfortunately, according to recent studies, Vitamin D deficiency is taking on alarming rates, on a global scale. An estimated one billion people worldwide are Vitamin D insufficient or deficient.
- Even countries with increased levels of sun exposure and sunny climates, such as Mediterranean countries, are reporting extremely high levels of Vitamin D deficiency in their population, reaching and sometimes exceeding 50%.
- One of the reasons for this is the limitation to sun exposure, caused either by lifestyle choices (indoor living), geographical location and the “heliophobia” factor, i.e. the conscious limitation of sun exposure in order to avoid possible negative results (sun damaged skin, ageing and skin cancer).
- On a positive note, it is remarkably easy to boost the body's natural Vitamin D production: 6 days of moderate sun exposure, uninhibited by sunscreen, can make up for approximately 50 days of complete absence of sunlight.
Source:
1. The effects of vitamin D deficiency in athletes. The American journal of sports medicine, 2013. Dostupno na https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23371942
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All about Vitamin D,
your online information source on the “sunshine vitamin”.
The “All about Vitamin D” website is part of an informational initiative, founded by Proton Med Serbia as part of the company’s efforts to raise awareness and offer educational materials to the general public, regarding overall wellness, as well as pharmaceutical issues.
