Packing on unwanted pounds? Check your vitamin D level
If you're carrying around more weight than you'd like, it may not just be what you're eating. It could be that you're not getting enough vitamin D.
Our bodies can manufacture vitamin D from sunlight, but many of us don't get enough sun to do the job. And in this part of the country, even if you go outside in the fall and winter, the sun's rays aren't strong enough for your body to make vitamin D.
Both my wife and I had our Vitamin D levels checked as part of our yearly blood test. It turned out we were both deficient. So we started taking a daily Vitamin D supplement.
There are plenty other ways to get the sunny vitamin back into our system, according to the experts at Good Housekeeping.
In a recent study, researchers found that women with low levels of vitamin D were on average 16.3 pounds heavier than those who did get enough vitamin D.
"Researchers believe the vitamin D may slow down the growth of fat calls, though it could be the fat cells may be simply trapping the vitamin so it's not circulating through the blood," said Toni Hope, health director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.
With experts warning us to keep sun exposure to a minimum, how can you get enough vitamin d into your system? It can be found in fish, milk and fortified orange juice.
But you have to consume a lot of each food to get the daily-recommended amount. The most reliable and safe option is taking a supplement.
"Experts are recommending 1000 IU of D3 a day for adults," Hope said.
Vitamin D doesn't just affect your weight. it's also been linked to preventing cancer and other diseases.
"It could help prevent various kinds of cancer including breast cancer, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and other problems," said Hope.
If you suspect you're vitamin D-deficient, ask your doctor to check. A simple blood test will give you the answer.
Doctors also recommend that you take vitamin d for stronger bones and to prevent osteoporosis.
Just 10 to 15 minutes in the midday sun twice a week should give you all of the vitamin D you need. So this is not an excuse for going crazy in the summer sun. You easily get more than 10 minutes of accidental exposure every day.
For more information:
Mayo Clinic: Vitamin D
Our bodies can manufacture vitamin D from sunlight, but many of us don't get enough sun to do the job. And in this part of the country, even if you go outside in the fall and winter, the sun's rays aren't strong enough for your body to make vitamin D.
Both my wife and I had our Vitamin D levels checked as part of our yearly blood test. It turned out we were both deficient. So we started taking a daily Vitamin D supplement.
There are plenty other ways to get the sunny vitamin back into our system, according to the experts at Good Housekeeping.
In a recent study, researchers found that women with low levels of vitamin D were on average 16.3 pounds heavier than those who did get enough vitamin D.
"Researchers believe the vitamin D may slow down the growth of fat calls, though it could be the fat cells may be simply trapping the vitamin so it's not circulating through the blood," said Toni Hope, health director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.
With experts warning us to keep sun exposure to a minimum, how can you get enough vitamin d into your system? It can be found in fish, milk and fortified orange juice.
But you have to consume a lot of each food to get the daily-recommended amount. The most reliable and safe option is taking a supplement.
"Experts are recommending 1000 IU of D3 a day for adults," Hope said.
Vitamin D doesn't just affect your weight. it's also been linked to preventing cancer and other diseases.
"It could help prevent various kinds of cancer including breast cancer, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and other problems," said Hope.
If you suspect you're vitamin D-deficient, ask your doctor to check. A simple blood test will give you the answer.
Doctors also recommend that you take vitamin d for stronger bones and to prevent osteoporosis.
Just 10 to 15 minutes in the midday sun twice a week should give you all of the vitamin D you need. So this is not an excuse for going crazy in the summer sun. You easily get more than 10 minutes of accidental exposure every day.
For more information:
Mayo Clinic: Vitamin D