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Photo Credit: Dick Rochester

Are you getting ALL of your essential vitamins? If you spend most of your time indoors, chances are, you are missing out on your necessary vitamin D intake, which a new Oxford University study says can be linked to a variety of diseases. The main reason for Vitamin D deficiency is not enough time out in the sun, and for some, it’s poor diet choices.

The study addresses the fact that today people are spending more time indoors than ever before. Throughout history, people typically spent their days outdoors farming or working, as there was no major advantage to spending time inside. Today, however, we spend most of our days indoors with the advent of electricity, cars, and new categories of jobs. The evolutional decrease in our vitamin D levels has led to an increase in artificially fortifying foods with vitamin D. Although this may supply vitamin D in your diet, not all shoppers are keen on purchasing fortified foods.

So why is Vitamin D so important for your health? Without this essential nutrient, the body is unable to properly absorb calcium, which is required in keeping the bones strong and healthy. Therefore, it works as a protection against osteoporosis and rickets, both are conditions in which the bones within our body become weak and thin. Colon, prostrate and breast cancer are another concern for those missing out on UV rays. Vitamin D appears to have a protective characteristic in regards to these cancers.  Click here for more risks associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Studies say as little as 20 minutes per day will meet the body’s vitamin D needs. While excessive exposure to sun can be dangerous, and potentially cause skin caner, a little can actually be beneficial- but please be careful finding this balance!

To visit the original study, published article in Genome Research, click here.