Why We Need Sun-Time!

Many South Asian women are afraid that the sun may darken their skin especially since it’s common for the community to use lotions to try to whiten themselves. Vitamin D deficiency has been an ongoing problem for women globally, affecting woman at an alarming 80% but recently several cases of small children have come to surface as well. Lack of this important Vitamin can cause a plethora of problems such as kidney and liver diseases, loss of hair in women, bone pain, muscle weakness, palpitations, sleeplessness, weak memory and general weakness. If you have been feeling weak or tired lately this may just be the problem. A few minutes of sunlight per day will not darken your skin it is actually extremely healthy for you and your skin.

What is Vitamin D and What Does It Do? 

Vitamin D is available in sources such as eggs, fish, fortified milk and cod liver oil. Vitamin D is manufactured by the body, but only when it is exposed to sunlight. The reasoning we need Vitamin D is to help maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.

What Steps Can I Take?  

First and foremost go to the Doctor and have a blood sample taken. If your test comes back that you do have a Vitamin D deficiency you will get a prescription for Vitamin D and probably Calcium as well. It could take up to three months of taking the pills daily just to get your levels normal again. Of course you should try to eat foods high in Vitamin D and get as much dairy intake as possible as well as making sure to get direct sunlight. We each need approximately 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight a day. The perfect time to get the correct sunlight is between 10am and 3pm. Try sitting in your yard or roof for a few minutes a day with a cold drink or hang your hand out of the car while going somewhere.