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One of the answers might be the sun. In the summer we are out boating, fishing, gardening, or just enjoying the sun. Our skin is exposed to a good amount of sun. During the winter in Minnesota, even if we are outside, we are all bundled up and our skin gets very little sun. Without sun, our bodies do not make Vitamin D. And, while we all know that Vitamin D is crucial for our bones, what we don’t always know is that Vitamin D is absolutely crucial for a well-functioning immune system. Our immune system is turned up when our skin is exposed to UVB rays from the sun. Therefore, our ability to attack and destroy bacteria and viruses goes up when we are in the sun. Vitamin D is stored in our body and when our storages of this vitamin get too low our immune system response goes down. There is a significant correlation between low Vitamin D levels and autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. Research is also showing a strong correlation between Vitamin D deficiencies and increased cancer rates.
The best way to get Vitamin D is by exposing your skin to the sun. About 10-15 minutes per day can be a sufficient dose. Getting enough Vitamin D in our diet is not easy. It is not as plentiful in our foods as other vitamins, and many Americans don’t eat cod liver oil, or eat enough fish, eggs or milk to get a high enough dose. We were meant to make our own through sun exposure. Tanning beds will provide your skin with the UVB rays that are needed to make Vitamin D and that is a viable option.
