Dark skin means less Vitamin D absorbed.
Dark skin works as a natural shield against the sunlight. Consequently, many people with darker skin are less likely to wrinkle or develop sunburn or skin cancer (though those of Asian and African decent are more likely to have advanced skin cancer by the time it is diagnosed and melanoma is frequently fatal for African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans).
Because their skin naturally blocks out more sunlight, people with darker skin also absorb less sunlight and therefore produce less vitamin D. Studies show that African Americans are one group that is very likely to have low circulating levels of vitamin D. Studies have even shown that a high percentage of African American teenage boys have low vitamin D levels. And, as we know, teenage boys tend to eat everything in site and yet in some groups studied they still did not’t meet their vitamin D needs!
A nationwide study found levels considered:
Extremely low
• African Americans: 29%
• Mexican Americans: 7.5%
• Non-Hispanic whites: 2.5%
Too low for optimum health
• African Americans: 97%
• Mexican Americans: 90%
• Non-Hispanic whites: 71%
Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of more than 13,000 teens and adults from 2001 to 2004
Moral of the research story – if you are an African American and you don’t consume 3-4 glasses of milk or vitamin D fortified soy or almond milk daily, make sure you take a vitamin D supplement. Getting enough sun can be very difficult as it takes much longer for a dark skinned individual to make enough vitamin D compared to light skin. Vitamin D is vital for bone health and the immune system and may even help prevent some types of cancer and chronic pain. Vitamin D supplements for children are especially important. A liquid vitamin D supplement is the perfect way to make sure children get their vitamin D also.
Read recent article in USA Today for more information on this important topic.
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