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D-vention Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are more common than ever before, yet studies suggest the nutrient may be a key in preventing a host of diseases later in life 
Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting Americans, so many people have restricted the amount of time they spend in the sun's UV rays to prevent contracting the disease. But the sun is a primary source for vitamin D, and a new study suggests that nearly 60 million - 70 percent of the entire youth population - American children and teens may have less than sufficient vitamin D in their bloodstreams. The human body uses some UV rays to convert a particular type of cholesterol into vitamin D. "We expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high, but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was shocking," says lead author Dr. Juhi Kuma, a fellow in pediatrics at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. Vitamin D, researchers say, may be a powerful tool for the prevention of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and many cancers. Ongoing research at the University of California-San Diego's School of Medicine reports a 50 percent reduction in colon cancer and a 55 percent reduction in premenopausal breast cancer in those with sufficient vitamin D. While the recently updated American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines call for a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement for kids, study leader Dr. Michal Melamed says a few minutes outside a day is the best start. "It would good for [parents] to turn off the TV and send their kids outside," Dr. Melamed, an assistant professor of health and epidemiology at Einstein, says. "Just 15 to 20 minutes a day should be enough. And unless they burn easily, don't put sunscreen on them until they've been out in the sun for 10 minutes, so they get the good stuff but not sun damage." Low vitamin D levels were most common in children who are female, African-American, older, Mexican-American, obese or spent more than four hours a day watching TV, playing video games or using computers. Milk, eggs, and fatty fishes like salmon are rich in vitamin D, and many cereals are fortified with it as well. |
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