These Groups of People Are More Prone to Vitamin D Deficiency

For those of us who live in North America, there is a very good chance that we don't get all the Vitamin D we need. In fact, about 42% of American adults are deficient in this nutrient. Though other studies suggest that the number is actually closer to 75%. Being deficient in vitamin D is associated with a number of health concerns including risk for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease. 

  It has also been found that if you have been diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer, your chances of survival may be lower than someone with normal levels of vitamin D. This may sound alarming, though it shouldn't come as a surprise. After all, vitamin D isn't found in too many foods - with the exception of salmon and fortified milk and yogurt. The only other way to get the nutrient, is to expose your bear skin to the sun. But if you work indoors all day, this is highly unlikely. 
 
The best way to discover whether you are deficient in vitamin D is to take a blood test. Your levels should be between 45 to 50 µg/mL. This is something you may want to consider if you form part of these groups: 

 

1. You are over 55

Of course, aging does have its perks: you are smarter, more confident and may be enjoying a leisurely life of retirement. Nevertheless, there are some downside. As we age, we tend to become less mobile, making it difficult to spend time outdoors, which would result in getting less vitamin D. In addition, ageing skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently. According to a 2007  study, about 50% of older American adults with hip fractures were found to have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. So, you're likely falling short on the nutrient  you are taking a daily supplement. 

2. You work in an office

Working a 9 to 5 job would mean that you don't get much sun. According to the doctors, people with occupations that limit sun exposure are unlikely to obtain adequate vitamin D from sunlight. This makes supplementation and a smart diet key to staying healthy. 

3. You have dark skin

Reports continue to show lower levels of vitamin D in those that identify themselves as black in comparison to those who identify themselves as white. This is because darker skin makes it more challenging for the body to produce vitamin D from sunlight, according to experts. If you're darker skinned, you should rely on dietary sources of the nutrient, rather than sunlight to reach your daily vitamin D mark.

4. You suffer from inflammatory bowel disease 

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, this means its absorption depends on the gut's ability to take in fat. Fat malabsorption is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - this includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In fact, it has been shown that up to 70% of people with IBD have insufficient vitamin D levels, according to a report. If you suffer from IBD, speak to your doctor and check whether you are getting enough vitamin D. 

5. You have a high body fat percentage

If your body mass index (BMI) is over 30 or you have a high body fat percentage, it may be more challenging for vitamin D to circulate throughout your body, the NIH reports. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that you will always be deficient. Be sure to speak to your doctor and find out just how much vitamin D you will need.

6. You are taking certain medications

We do need certain medications to keep our health on track, however, corticosteroid medications such as prednisone, as well as weight-loss drugs like orlistat, and the cholesterol-lowering drug cholestyramine can impair vitamin D metabolism. If you take any one of these drugs, be sure to check in with your doctor to find out the best way for you to get the right dose. 

7. You suffer from depression

Did you know that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression, than those with higher levels? Medical experts aren't sure why this is the case, however one hypothesis is that the vitamin may alter hormones and areas of the brain that affect and regulate mood. 

8. You suffer from chronic headaches

If you suffer from regular headaches, low blood levels of vitamin D may be to blame, according to a 2017 study of 2,600 men. Study participants with the lowest vitamin D levels had a twofold risk of chronic headaches compared to study participants with the highest levels. The specific link between headaches and vitamin D remains unclear, researchers believe the nutrient may help combat the inflammation that causes migraines and headaches.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

12 Things that Put You at Risk for Skin Cancer

About 20% of all Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they hit 70, says the doctors. Skin cancer may form as a non-melanoma (bad) or melanoma (very bad) type of disease. Whatever it may be, one thing is certain - you definitely don't want it. Worse, you may be inadvertently doing things to increase your risk. For starters, sitting out in the sun unprotected is instantly going to increase your odds of being diagnosed with a case of skin cancer. But, some less obvious reasons could lead you down a dangerous path. Here are 12 essential tips to bear in mind:

1. Getting your nails done

While you may not worry too much about getting your nails done at the salon, using UV rays emitted from the LED lamps at your nail salon for a short period of time could result in a life-threatening skin cancer diagnosis. This is what happened to a 20-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with skin cancer. Her doctor said it was most likely caused by the regular gel manicures.  

2. You aren't eating enough veggies
Eating plenty of veggies isn't just good for your health. It can help protect against cancer too. According to the cancer specialists, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale are broken down into indoles and isothiocyanates - two key elements that have been shown to prevent cancer from developing. Veggies also keep your immune system healthy. This comes in handy when your body is fighting off illnesses and diseases. 

3. You smoke

Most smokers likely assume that they are putting themselves at risk for lung cancer. However, skin cancer is a possibility too. According to the experts, inhaling toxins can increase your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma on your lips by 52%. Since it affects 700,000 people in the U.S. each year, it is incredibly common. 

4. You use a tanning bed
A vast amount of research has been conducted surrounding the dangers of tanning beds. According to the Cancer specialists, people continue to use them at an alarming rate. Just one session increases your risk of melanoma by 20%, basal cell carcinoma by 29% and squamous cell carcinoma by 67%. 

5. You don't wear sunglasses

Sunglasses do more than keep the sun out of your eyes. They help protect your delicate eye area - including the very thin-skinned eyelids from skin cancer. Sunglasses should be worn all year round and anytime you are enjoying the sunshine. Opt for a pair that blocks 99 to 100% of those harmful rays. 

6. You don't wear enough SPF
If you think that SPF 35+ is going to be enough at the beach, you are mistaken. In a new study published, researchers found SPF 100+ is more protective against sunburns than SPF 50+. It is also essential that you reapply often. Bear in mind that the higher the strength doesn't mean that it has a longer staying power. 

7. You're not protecting your skin from pollution

It's not just the sun that can harm your complexion. Pollution is just as bad for you, as it is for the environment. Pollution can cause uneven skin tone, accelerated aging and skin cancer. To make sure it doesn't affect you, wash off your skin and wear sunscreen every day. Put it on immediately in the morning and be sure to spring for one that contains antioxidants. 

8. You always sit by sunny windows
Whether you are in the car or not, according to the doctors, sitting in front of a sunny window doesn't just lead to wrinkles, it could also lead to skin cancer down the line.

9. You don't wear sunscreen on flights

People tend to feel safe from the sun in a plane, despite traveling six miles closer to it. However, according to one expert, that can really do some damage. Dermatologist says “The fact is, flying at 30,000 feet [for 60 minutes] can be as dangerous as 20 minutes in a tanning bed.” So, if you're not wearing any sunscreen, pull down the shade. 

10. You rely on the SPF in your makeup for protection
It's nice that your face makeup has the added bonus of SPF. But don't solely depend on that to protect your skin. Many products only have an SPF of 15 and since the  Dermatologist recommends at least 30 SPF on a daily basis, you might need to apply extra before getting ready for the day. 

11. You're not careful with your spray tan

Getting a spray tan is a better option than getting a real tan. However, after your appointment be extra cautious. You have a higher risk of free radical damage from those UV rays for up to 24 hours after bronzing yourself. After a day, you'll be fine to apply sunscreen as usual. 

12. You're wearing shiny lipsticks
You may want to rethink the high-shine, glossy lipsticks. According to the doctors, they basically do the same thing as putting baby oil on your body does - you become a magnet for UV rays that can burn and damage your skin. Opaque lipstick with SPF 15+ is a better option. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com