• Submit “Good News”
  • Where to Find eMetro Times
  • eMetro Advertising
  • Contact
  • Puzzle Solutions
  • Login
  • Register

Logo

Navigation
  • Home
  • eMetro News
    • Rockdale
    • Newton
  • Lifestyle
    • eMetro Eats
    • Share the Love
    • Hometown Hero
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Expert Advice
  • Events
    • Add Event
  • Business Directory
    • Pokemon GO Locations in eMetro
    • Bridal Guide
    • Home & Garden Guide
    • Classifieds
      • Place Ad

The Importance of Vitamin D…Living Better With Piedmont

By eMetro Times | on July 18, 2016 | 0 Comment
eMetro Life Featured Your Health

vitamin d outdoorsSummertime is the perfect time to head outside and soak up one of the body’s most important nutrients – vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for maintaining healthy bones and protecting against the loss of bone mass.

Vitamin D is also important for the role it plays in improving muscle strength, boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.

What happens to the body if you don’t get enough vitamin D?

A vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, a condition that causes bone pain and muscle weakness. Low vitamin D levels have also been linked to an increased risk of dementia, depression, psoriatic arthritis and heart disease.

Most adults need at least 600 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day. And you can get it in three ways: through sun exposure, your diet and nutritional supplements.

Vitamin D and sun exposure

“The body makes vitamin D when skin is exposed to the sun,” said Lena Beal, M.S., RD, LD, a therapeutic dietitian at Piedmont’s Fuqua Heart Center. “Most people meet at least some of their vitamin D needs this way.”

But the amount of vitamin D you get from the sun depends on the following factors:

  • Time of day: The atmosphere blocks UVB rays in the early morning and late evening, preventing the skin from producing vitamin D. The best time to stock up on this hormone is in the middle of the day.
  • Where you live: Cities located further from the equator receive fewer UVB rays in the winter. But there is plenty of vitamin D to go around in the summer.
  • Skin color: Paler skin produces vitamin D more easily. So it may only take 15 minutes for those with pale skin to get their daily value of vitamin D, while those with darker skin may need to stay in the sun up to six times longer (about two hours).

It’s important to remember that too much sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. Limit time outside, and always wear sunscreen.

Food sources of vitamin D

Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, but the following fortified foods are a good source:

  • Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel
  • Milk
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Certain brands of orange juice, yogurt and margarine

Vitamin D supplements are also recommended if you are not getting enough of the nutrient in your diet.

For more helpful, healthful tips,visit http://www.piedmont.org/living-better/.

About Living Better with Piedmont

Living Better with Piedmont is a source for helpful, healthful information. Living Better publishes fresh, daily health and wellness content to help people live a better life. For the latest health tips, recipes and expert advice or to sign up for the monthly Living Better e-newsletter, visit piedmont.org/LivingBetter.

Share this:

  • Tweet

Author Description

eMetro Times

    No Responses to “The Importance of Vitamin D…Living Better With Piedmont”

    Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

    Connect with:
    Facebook Twitter

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


    *
    *

    Tags: food sourcesliving better with Piedmontsun exposurevitamin D

    Recent Posts

    • Eastridge Community Church Broke Ground on New Building

      August 6, 2016 - 0 Comment
    • City of Covington Police Department Coordinates Large Scale Mock Disaster Drill

      August 6, 2016 - 0 Comment
    • Rockdale County Receives Special One-time Return from ACCG Insurance Programs

      August 6, 2016 - 0 Comment

    Keep in touch, ya’ll

    Keep informed of what's happening in East Metro Atlanta. Subcribe to our Newsletter

    RSSSubscribe

    Pet of the Month Contest

    Pet-of-the-Month-website

    eMetro Times Photo Location Contest

    eMetro Times Print Edition Online

    eMetro Times Photos

    Load More...
    Tweets by @eMetroTimes
    Partly Cloudy
    Saturday 08/06 20%
    Partly Cloudy
    Partly cloudy. Lows overnight in the mid 70s.
    Chance of a Thunderstorm
    Sunday 08/07 60%
    Chance of a Thunderstorm
    Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 94F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
    Chance of a Thunderstorm
    Monday 08/08 80%
    Chance of a Thunderstorm
    Mostly cloudy in the morning, then thunderstorms developing later in the day. High around 90F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
    Wunderground.com

    Popular Stories

    • The Burger War Is Heating Up The Burger War Is Heating Up posted on July 22, 2016
    • Newton County to Change Hours of Operation at Convenience Centers Newton County to Change Hours of Operation at Convenience Centers posted on July 21, 2016
    • Commissioner Oz Nesbitt Hosts Annual Back to School Bash Commissioner Oz Nesbitt Hosts Annual Back to School Bash posted on July 19, 2016
    • Alan Morrison Joins 2016 Atlanta Summer Organ Festival Alan Morrison Joins 2016 Atlanta Summer Organ Festival posted on July 20, 2016
    • Courtesy Mitsubishi Opens in Conyers Courtesy Mitsubishi Opens in Conyers posted on July 10, 2016
    • Announcements from RCPS – Kindercamp, Open House Schedule and Temporary Registration Location Announcements from RCPS – Kindercamp, Open House Schedule and Temporary Registration Location posted on July 17, 2016

    Featured Listings

    • The CORK growler and cigar shoppe
    • DC Hobby Shop
    • Cherokee Run Golf Club
    • Atlanta Gran Prix Karting
    • ZazzieU Boutique
    • By Design International Salon
    • Wild Art on the Square
    • Conyers Jewelers
    • Westmoreland's Time Shop
    • Conyers Pharmacy

    Event Calendar

    << Aug 2016 >>
    M T W T F S S
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7
    8 9 10 11 12 13 14
    15 16 17 18 19 20 21
    22 23 24 25 26 27 28
    29 30 31 1 2 3 4

    Events

    • Farm Fresh Conyers Local Grown Food
      • 2 Jun 16
      • Conyers
    • Alcovy CASA Pajama Project
      • 25 Jul 16
      • Covington
    • Beyond the Box Workshop
      • 6 Aug 16
      • Covington
    • Clothing Fest
      • 6 Aug 16
      • Conyers
    • Youth Parenting Symposium
      • 6 Aug 16
      • Conyers
    • Bill Pickett Rodeo @ The GIHP
      • 6 Aug 16
      • Conyers
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Contact Us
    Copyright © 2016 Alcovy Enterprises, LLC dba eMetro Times. All Rights Reserved.
    Web Development & Marketing Managed by Alcovy Media.
    Login

    Connect with:
    Facebook Twitter

    Register | Lost your password?

    Register

    Connect with:
    Facebook Twitter

    A password will be e-mailed to you.

    Log in | Lost your password?

    Reset Password

    Log in| Register