Vitamin D may be one of the most beneficial supplements available, and we get most of it from the sun. In fact, a mere 15-30min of exposure to the sun when it is at its highest level will result in the production of 15,000-20,000IU of vitamin D. Your body actually takes the ultraviolet radiation and uses it to create vitamin D.
However, we have been conditioned to think that any amount of sunlight is bad for you. And so people reach for the sunblock when they venture outside. The problem is, using sunblock will obviously decrease the amount of ultraviolet light your body is able to use in the production of vitamin D. Just a SPF-15 sunscreen will actually reduce the amount of vitamin D production by 90%.
There are many benefits to vitamin D, but among the largest benefits has to do with warding off the flu. If you think about it, flu season begins as the amount of daily sunlight we receive decreases. If you were to supplement with a high quality, pharmaceutical grade vitamin D supplement in the fall and winter months, you just may be able to make it through flu season unscathed.
As a matter of fact, vitamin D may actually be better than getting the seasonal flu shot when it comes to flu prevention. Earlier this year, a group of Japanese doctors conducted a study on this. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the results were nothing short of amazing.
354 children took part in the double-blind and randomized study in which "children were given a daily dose of 1200 IUs (international units) of vitamin D over a period of three months.". 1-in-10 of the children taking the supplement came down with the flu, versus 1-in-5 who took a placebo.
But the results get even better. The doctors then compared the effects of vitamin D against some of the popular flu shot drugs available to the public. The drugs zanamivir and oseltamivir reduced the risk of flu infection by 8% in children exposed to the flu; whereas the vitamin D group showed a 50% reduction in the risk of flu infection.
So what do you do? That is entirely up to you. However, the results of this study tend to point towards the importance of vitamin D in your life. If you live in a northern climate, you may want to consider supplementing with a pharmaceutical grade supplement in the winter months to add an extra layer of protection. And before you venture out into the sun, consider getting at least 15min of direct sunlight before putting on the sunblock.
About this Author
Scott Huff is a professional in the health and wellness industry. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and studies related to health, visit us at --> A Healthier You. Sign up to receive our free monthly newsletter.
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