Vitamin D deficiencies are widespread in our population. This is especially true in our elderly population. Research during the past two decades has illustrated the importance of vitamin D in reducing the risk of bone disease (osteoporosis), cancer, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.

Sunlight exposure is the primary source of vitamin D production in most people. Typically, vitamin D can be produced from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the best time being at noon. In the noonday summer sun, those with pale skin will only need to expose 40% of their body to the sun for between four to ten minutes. Dark skin people will need as much as 1 hour to get the same amount of vitamin D. These times vary depending on geographic location, body fat, skin pigmentation, and age.

The bottom line, get some SUN and then put on the sunscreen. In the summer time you can estimate about 15 minutes before applying the sunscreen if you are pale and at least 30 minutes if you have dark skin. You should never allow your skin to burn! Thus, a little sun is extremely healthy while a lot is not.

But how can you tell if you have a vitamin D deficiency. The best thing to do is to ask your doctor to test for your vitamin D levels at your next physical exam. However, it is very important to test for the right form which is the 25-hydroxyvitmain D form also known as 25(OH)D. You need a minimum reading of 50 nmol/L.