It has been a growing problem in children and adults for some time that is under watch in the world of health. Vitamin D is an important vitamin necessary to the health of all. Scientists are finding that teenagers with low vitamin D are having health problems.

Vitamin D is important for strong bones and one of the easiest ways to get vitamin D is from sunshine. The recommended daily allowance of natural sunlight to get enough vitamin D is only 15 minutes outside a day for three or more days a week.

It doesn’t seem like a lot to stay healthy but studies are finding teens with very low levels of the sunshine vitamin. The scientists find this dangerous because those with low levels might have high blood pressure and high blood sugar. These two things can lead to heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol.

The most important thing for teens and their parents to consider is diet and exercise. Kids need to get outside and exercise. The more outside time, the more kids will get the needed ultraviolet rays from sunshine. Scientists found that the color of your skin determines how easy it is for you to absorb the vitamin D. The lighter the skin, the faster you get vitamin D. The darker the skin, the more time it takes to absorb the vitamin D.

Diet is also very important and the American Academy of Pediatrics is doubling its recommended amount of vitamin D. Kids need to drink four cups of milk a day or take vitamin supplements. Other places to get vitamin D in the diet are from fortified foods, which mean the foods have the vitamins added to them when the vitamin isn’t already there. Examples of fortified foods or beverages with vitamin D are orange juice and salmon.

If you are wondering if you are getting enough vitamins in your diet it is important to learn all you can about nutrition. Ask your doctor next time you visit about vitamin D and how important it is to your body. If you don’t like milk and won’t drink enough of it maybe your doctor could recommend a vitamin supplement to make up for the vitamin D you don’t get outside.

Also get together with your friends and find time to be outside more to get some of this important sunshine vitamin. After all 15 minutes is less time than it takes to finish a few levels of the hottest video game and even less time than anything on TV. Vitamin D is the fun vitamin!