Last year while screening thousands of employees across the nation, we found an unexpected and worrisome trend. Vitamin D deficiency was off the charts. A whopping 80 percent of individuals being screened for other health issues were seriously lacking in Vitamin D.
While most people are concerned about high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure, Vitamin D deficiency should be on their Top 5 checklist. Vitamin D helps the body use calcium, which keeps bones strong. In addition, Vitamin D plays a role in regulating both the immune and neuromuscular systems.
The consequences for letting this issue continue without being addressed could have a significant impact on your workforce. Various studies and reports by the Vitamin D Council have suggested that Vitamin D could be helpful in the prevention of a range of health issues.
Perhaps the most alarming side of effect of Vitamin D deficiency is cardiovascular complications. Risk of dying from heart disease doubles for those with the lowest levels of Vitamin D, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Patients with the lowest levels and highest levels were compared over eight years.
Other long-term health issues include:
– increased risk of cancer, especially breast, prostate or colon cancers,
– osteoporosis,
– severe asthma in children,
– impaired cognitive skills in older adults.
According to various research reports and studies, Vitamin D could also play a role in preventing or treating glucose intolerance, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
So which of your employees are most likely to come up Vitamin D deficient?
– Vegetarians, for one, because they avoid Vitamin D-rich animal-based products.
– Lactose-intolerant folks who avoid milk products.
– Darker-skinned individuals whose skin doesn’t absorb UV-B rays.Those suffering from cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and Crohn’s disease. Their digestive tracts can’t absorb vitamin D adequately.
– Anyone with a BMI of 30 or more because fat cells extract Vitamin D from the blood.
Unfortunately, Vitamin D deficiency isn’t even on most people’s radar, especially since symptoms are subtle. Signs to look for include bone pain and muscle weakness, as well as developing rickets, a bone-tissue disease that causes skeletal deformities and soft bones that don’t mineralize properly.
The good news is that boosting levels of the “sunshine vitamin” is an easy fix.
The reason so many people show up with a Vitamin D deficiency can be traced to poor diets and a lack of sunshine. In fact, the sun is the #1 source of Vitamin D.
Some experts believe that warnings about harmful UV-B rays and skin cancer have gone overboard. While avoiding the sun is smart for those concerned about skin cancer, a little bit of sun goes a long way in helping alleviate Vitamin D deficiency. If a fair-skinned person spends just 10 minutes in the sun daily without any sunscreen, that’s equal to 10,000 international units of Vitamin D.
During the winter when it’s more difficult to get much sun, a Vitamin D-rich diet can fill in the gaps. Consuming fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks, fortified dairy products such as milk and cheese, as well as Vitamin D3 supplements can bolster Vitamin D.
The Vitamin D Council recommends from 5,000 to 10000 IUs per day to maintain optimal protection.
These simple solutions can have a major impact on your workforce . . . and your bottom line.
