Vitamin D is an important vitamin,
especially for growing children, as it helps bone development by enhancing the
body's efficiency in absorbing calcium and phosphorus. When the skin is exposed
to a normal amount of sunlight, the human body automatically produces the
necessary amount of Vitamin D. However, there are factors can inhibit the
amount of Vitamin D your body produces.
Winter Season
Winter can reduce your body's Vitamin D
production. This is because the added layers of clothing you wear to act as a
shield against the cold also shield the skin from the sunlight. The low angle
of the sun in highly elevated areas during this season also affects one's
exposure to the light.
Skin Color
For many people, spending 10 minutes
under the sun without sunscreen is enough to spur production of a good amount
of Vitamin D. However, people with darker skin need to stay exposed to the sun
for a longer period of time in order to produce the same amount. This is
largely because their skin has a larger amount of melanin, the compound
responsible for making skin dark. This also absorbs sunlight, competing with
the substance that needs sunlight for Vitamin D production.
While exposure to the sun is the best
way to get Vitamin D, it is unavoidable for some people to stay indoors all
day. With this in mind, taking a Vitamin D supplement is a great way for them
to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D.
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