Are you vitamin D deficient?

In 2009 it was published that 70% of whites, 90% of Hispanics and 97% of blacks in the United States had insufficient blood levels of vitamin D. Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to daily pains and fatigue, increased risk in heart disease and cancer, decrease your ability to fight off infections and affect daily quality of life.  The question is, how do you know if you are deficient?  Here is a pop quiz to help you determine the answer.  How many of the following apply to you:

• I rarely go out in the sun.
• I wear sunblock and cover up my skin when I go out in the sun.
• The clothes I wear typically cover most of my skin, including my arms and legs.
• I do not take a vitamin D supplement daily.
• I do not eat wild caught, oily fish (eg. salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring etc) two or three times per week.
• I do not eat mushrooms often.
• I am naturally dark skinned or am of African or Hispanic descent.
• I am older than 60 years old.
• I am younger than 20 years old.
• I am overweight and carry a considerable amount of extra fat.
• When I press firmly on my breastbone or shins with my thumb or forefinger, I feel pain.
• I feel like I have less energy and muscle strength than I should.
• I currently take antiseizure or AIDS medication or I take glucocorticoids such as prednisone.
• I have celiac disease, intestinal disease or have had gastric bypass surgery.

According to Dr. Michael Holick, the scientist responsible for isolating and identifying the major circulating form of vitamin D in humans, if you answered yes to any of the questions above, there is a high chance that you are vitamin D deficient.  In addition to getting adequate sun exposure, eating foods high in vitamin D, and utilizing a vitamin D supplement, you may want to ask your health care provider to test your vitamin D status.  Your health may be counting on it.