Vitamin D

The problem with depending upon the sun’s irradiation with ultraviolet light is that unless one is light-skinned and constantly exposed to the sun in an intense manner, the rays lose their effect. If you have just moved to Florida and are there in the middle of summer without having acquired a tan, your vitamin D effect should be adequate. It should most probably be adequate in any case if you are stripped down to a bathing suit and sunning for a long period on the beach. Don’t worry about the sun screens. They shouldn’t interfere since they (supposedly) only block the portion of the sun’s ultraviolet light that causes burning, not the portion that works for your vitamin D. however, if you are black and living in Minneapolis in the middle of winter, with only your face exposed to the less-than-clear sky, further vitamin D is going to be necessary. This can come from vegetables and dairy products that have already been supplemented. Currently, a whole milk is supplemented at a level of 25 units for each ounce, for a total of 400 units per quart. Low fat milk is also low in vitamins A and D.