What the Cows Know…

The dairy cow knows the value of Vitamin D.

And now so do researchers.

Study participants were given Vitamin D supplements (typical infant multivitamins) from birth on and after a tracking period of 15 to 30 years it was found that they were 29% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes than those infants who did not receive the supplemental Vitamin D. (Archives of Disease in Childhood) You can read the entire story here.

Low levels of Vitamin D apparently leads to insulin resistance.

Sources of Vitamin D:

• Vitamin D is synthesized in the human skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet light
• Fortified milk
• Swiss Cheese
• Beef Liver
• Fish (mackerel, tuna, sardines)
• Eggs
• Cod liver oil

And according to this associated article from USA Today News: June 14, 2008, Vitamin D Tests Soar As Deficiency, Diseases Linked—more doctors are testing for Vitamin D deficiency related diseases than ever before as more than 35% of adult Americans are found to have low levels.

How Much Vitamin D Do We Need?

Per the Mayo Clinic:

“You’re unlikely to get too much vitamin D from the food you eat, and prolonged sun exposure doesn’t seem to cause vitamin D toxicity. Over time, however, megadoses of vitamin D supplements can cause

nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness and weight loss. More seriously, excessive doses of vitamin D can raise the level of calcium in your blood — which can cause confusion and changes in heart rhythm. Generally, the upper limit for vitamin D is 2,000 IU a day.”

Recipes to Enrich the Vitamin D in Your Diet:

• From Cooking Light: Vitamin D Friendly Recipes including Espresso Soy Milk Shake and Cajun Salmon Cakes.

• Sautéed Chard and Salmon recipe from Whole Foods.

• Egg Casserole from dLife