Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
It just might be your vitamin D that is contributing to how you are feeling. Vitamin D plays a key in areas of your health like your immune system and your bone health. But it can be hard to get enough vitamin D in your normal diet.
Most often people get vitamin D from fatty fish in their diets. The skin is a main and natural source for vitamin D by converting or using the sun or ultraviolet light to get vitamin D into our systems. But even that can be difficult in Michigan when we have colder weather and cloudy days for many days throughout the year. So it is important to try and maintain vitamin D levels in more creative ways in the Mitten state bu getting a little more sun on those cold sunny days because the sun is out or increasing our fatty fish intake.
We do not have to settle on just having low vitamin D. It should not be the norm and does not have to be the norm. So, taking small steps to increase vitamin D can help in the long run with things like bone health and strengthening our immune system because vitamin D helps facilitate other nutrients getting better absorbed in our body and helps different electrolytes or molecules in our body shift into more ideal spaces.
Because most of vitamin D comes from activity with the skin, those with darker skin or more melanin like African Americans absorb less vitamin D and have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Being more aware and more proactive about maintaining good levels of vitamin D is even more important for darker-skinned individuals. So, there are some dilemmas when it comes to maintaining good vitamin D levels.
One is that consistently consuming foods with high vitamin D can be a challenge. It’s not impossible, but it is a challenge to consistently take in fatty fish or foods with vitamin D added. But every little bit counts and will be great for the vitamin D level.
The second dilemma is sun exposure helps maintain vitamin D levels, but too much sun exposure can increase your risk of skin diseases like cancer. So, move gracefully when it comes to trying to get a good amount of sun exposure for vitamin D, but also by conscious of not getting too much unprotected sun exposure that increases the risk of cancer.
Vitamin D supplementation is common for many people because of the challenge of getting enough sun but not too much sun and eating vitamin D rich foods. Some people need high doses of vitamin D pills for a short period of time while others need to take low-dose vitamin D pills every day in general.
Those with vitamin D deficiency or low vitamin D should have their vitamin D levels checked regularly to make sure they are maintaining a good level.
Vitamin D is so important for our bone health and immune system. Having strong vitamin D levels can help protect people from weak bones like osteoporosis or getting really sick with they get an infection. Many vitamins in our body play a key role in keeping us healthy. Good nutrition can lead to many positive health outcomes. Nothing changes overnight, but one step at a time to improve nutrition over time and maintain good nutrition levels like a good vitamin D level.
Dr Aisha Harris, MD is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com. Feel free to submit health questions to Dr Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
