The D-List: Restoring Your Health

Celiac disease can cause a whole slew of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These deficiencies are mostly the result of damage to the intestines, which inhibits proper absorption of nutrients from food. When our bodies lack adequate vitamins and minerals things get complicated inside, and we find ourselves with conditions like osteoporosis or anemia.
Vitamin D is vital for proper calcium absorption, muscular function. Cancer prevention is another reason not to skimp on D. High levels of D are associated with lowering the risk of cancer, even skin cancer. D can also put up a fight against infections by giving immune cells a boost and protect you from cardiovascular disease. Because Diabetes can occur as a result of complications due to celiac disease, it's important to do your best to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level--wouldn't you know, vitamin D also has been proven to keep glucose levels in check.
It's a funny vitamin because our bodies can actually produce vitamin D with the help of sunlight. Some argue that the best source of vit. D is sunlight while other camps strongly caution against sun exposure to protect ourselves from cancer. This argument gets sticky so I'll just give you my take and please educate yourself and make your own choice. It is said that 10 minutes of sunlight is sufficient time for your body to produce a nice amount of vit D. Others argue that in winter months and those in states farther north of the equator need more than 10 minutes to produce enough vit D. I happen to really, really enjoy the sun--not just looking at the sun from inside but being out in it's rays. It makes me feel happy and revitalized (is that the vit D I'm feeling???). I know there are risks to sun exposure but I also am aware of the medical/pharmaceutical/beauty industry's knack for instilling fear in consumers. How much sun is too much? It is my opinion that some sun is good for the soul, and our bodies ability to produce vit D with the help of sun is evidence that we need sun. I don't believe that we should drown our skin in chemical sunblocks and hide under hats, long sleeves, and pants constantly. I believe that we need to take a holistic approach to health and do our best to live in moderation. That being said, it's probably not a good idea to sit in the sun for six hours a day working on a crispy tan because you want to really boost your vit D levels. My solution is to sit on the fence (not a picket fence)--enjoy a the sun when you can and also seek out nutritional sources of vit D along with considering a D supplement, especially in the winter.

Who's on the D-list!
Salmon
Tuna
Mackerel
Mushrooms
Eggs
Cod liver oil
Fortified Dairy Products but I'm not a big fan of modern dairy