Food for thought

This good bit of information from Stafford Hill of Plymouth e-newsletter for June...

Low blood levels of vitamin D effect more than bone health. Studies find a greater risk of heart problems and depression in older adults. In one study, people taking a vitamin D supplement were 7% less likely to die than those who didn't take a daily supplement.

The darker a person's skin, the more difficult it is to get vitamin D from sunlight. Fair-skinned people might be willing to risk the 10 to 15 minutes they need to get enough. But there's still a problem. Unless you live south of a line from Los Angeles to Columbia, S.C., there isn't enough sunlight year round to produce all the vitamin D you need. Most people need other sources. Your diet may increase your risk if it's low in milk or the foods that naturally contain vitamin D, such as salmon and eggs. In the U.S. nearly all milk if fortified with vitamin D, and many brands of OJ are too. Even some cereals contain a healthy dose. So make every day a "D" day.