Blog post written by Kaitlyn Smith, IUPUI dietetic intern Vitamin D is an important nutrient for our bodies, but many people do not get enough! Vitamin D is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies in the United States. In fact, approximately 35% of American adults have vitamin D deficiency. In this blog, we will uncover sources of vitamin D, why it’s necessary and what complications vitamin D deficiency has on the body. Image from onbetterliving.com Why do we need vitamin D? Vitamin D helps to maintain calcium and phosphorus levels in our blood to build healthy bones and tissues. It also supports a healthy immune system, promotes normal cell growth, and helps fight inflammation. Sources of vitamin D The recommended amount of vitamin D per day is:
We can get vitamin D from several different sources, including:
Image from www.yalemedicine.org Vitamin D deficiency Anyone can be affected by vitamin D deficiency. However, some people are at a higher risk of not getting enough vitamin D, including:
These individuals may benefit from additional time in the sun, eating more vitamin D-rich foods, and/or a vitamin D supplement. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include:
Vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed with a blood test. If you are experiencing these symptoms or have other concerns, please contact your doctor to assess the best plan for your individual health. Increasing vitamin D intake Besides spending more time outdoors, we can make sure we are getting enough vitamin D through the foods we eat. Try these simple ways to meet your daily needs:
Vitamin D impacts our body in many ways, so it is important to get enough on a daily basis. For more resources about vitamin D, please refer to the sources below. Sources: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318060 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
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Blog post by Sarah Berube, IUPUI dietetic intern Over 34 million people of all ages in the United States (about 1 in 10) have diabetes. Of these, about 1 in 5 adults don’t know they have the disease. Possible risk factors for diabetes include:
The choices you make and the resources available in your daily life can raise or lower your risk of diabetes. Keep reading to understand how these relate and how you can help prevent and/or manage diabetes! Diabetes 101 Diabetes happens when your body isn't able to take up sugar (glucose) into its cells to use it for energy. Glucose in the body comes from two main sources:
Your body controls the amount of glucose in your bloodstream by making insulin. Insulin is a hormone created in the pancreas. It serves as a “key” to let glucose into the cells, where it can then be turned into energy. When insulin doesn't work as it should or there isn't enough insulin available, glucose can build up in the blood. Over time, this extra sugar can cause damage to organs and tissues like your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. There are several different types of diabetes:
Image from doh.sd.gov Symptoms of diabetes include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, please visit your primary health care doctor. Tips for Preventing and Managing Diabetes Not having regular access to nutritious foods can make preventing or managing diabetes a challenge. Living with a health condition like diabetes can also make it hard to keep working or to afford medications. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep diabetes in check! Try some of these tips for preventing and managing diabetes: Image from mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov
Image from www.operationfoodsearch.org
Diabetes is a serious condition, but there are many ways you can reduce your risk of health complications. For more information, resources, recipes, and more, please visit diabetes.org. Sources
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AuthorSarah Wilson, RDN, Nutrition Manager at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, along with guest blog posts by dietetic interns Archives
February 2023
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