Jakarta, lack of sun exposure known to be associated with various diseases, from the common cold, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Several studies have referred to a substance contained in the important exposure to sunlight, which is vitamin D. Deficiency of vitamin D appeared to result in serious consequences for health, especially in sub-tropical countries are just having a bit of sun exposure.
Vitamin D not only helps the body absorb calcium and is important for bone, but also plays a role in the immune system by helping to reduce inflammation. Suspected chronic inflammation can trigger heart disease and cancer. Some dangerous diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency include:
1. Diabetes
A study in 2011 found that obese children who have low levels of vitamin D were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as adults. While in adults who have low vitamin D levels, likely to develop type 2 diabetes rose to 57 percent.
2. Cancer
A study published in the British Medical Journal showed that people in his blood contained a lot of vitamin D had a 40 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer than those who had low levels of vitamin.
3. Multiple sclerosis
The researchers also said there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency with multiple sclerosis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis is most common in people who live far from the equator and little exposure to sunlight.
4. Rheumatoid arthritis
Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. In a study conducted in January 2012, among the babies who died suddenly, at 75 per cent were found to be deficient in vitamin D.
How to get the intake of sunlight?
Sunlight provides 90 percent of the vitamin D your body needs. When the heat and ultraviolet light touches the skin, the production of vitamin D is activated. In food, the liver is the main natural source and fish oil. Eggs contain small amounts of vitamin D, as well as some foods such as cereals, fresh fruit juice and yogurt are fortified with vitamin D.
"A serving of fortified foods only provide nearly 20 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin D. It's hard to get all of their vitamin D from food alone," said Catherine Collins, a dietician at St George's Hospital, London, as reported by dailymail, Tuesday (31 / 1/012).
Many people avoid going out without wearing sunscreen and then end up with a deficiency of vitamin D. Research has found that people who were diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, are those with the lowest levels of vitamin D.
To meet the ideal intake of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight on a regular basis during the summer is very necessary. Duration is about 10 to 15 minutes a day without sunscreen at 11:00 to 15:00, which is when the sun is hot-hot.
"Almost everyone in the country is deficient in vitamin D this year. We live too far north and was not sure the weather would clear enough to produce vitamin D is enough. Amount of vitamin D produced depends on how much skin terkana sun exposure. Arms and face is not enough, the arm is also necessary, "said Dr. Robert Moy, a pediatrician at Birmingham.
The body's ability to make vitamin D decreases with age. People over the age of 65 years are advised to take supplements of vitamin D 10 mcg per day. Dark-skinned people do not produce vitamin with ease. Nursing mothers and pregnant women should take vitamin D supplements to ensure mcg 10 children have healthy bones and protected from osteoporosis in later life.
Fat people should take supplements, because vitamin D can be locked into fat cells and can not be used by the body. Children aged 6 months - 5 years should take vitamin D supplements were 7 mcg every day because his bones are going through a critical stage of development. Vitamin D deficiency rickets has led to a surge of cases drastically.