Friday, Nov. 23, 2007

Vitamin D Q&A

QUESTION: Why is vitamin D important?

ANSWER: Proper levels of vitamin D can help prevent a number of diseases, such as mental illness, diabetes, arthritis, prostate disease and nerve disorders.

QUESTION: What are good sources of Vitamin D?

ANSWER: Vitamin D is found in fortified milk, liver, fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, eggs, cheese and a few other foods. But dietary supplements are recommended.

QUESTION: Is the sun a good source of vitamin D?

ANSWER Yes, 30 minutes of sunshine a day could improve the long-term health of fair-skinned people. African-Americans, because melanin in darker skin reflects UV rays, need at least an hour of sunshine daily just to begin producing the myriad of health benefits the sun can provide.

— Roddie Burris

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