Can buildings help us get Vitamin D right?

I had a great visit with my dermatologist for an annual scan--a childhood of competitive tennis in Florida will eventually show up with sun damage, right? 

We had a great talk about the balance between our need for sunlight and our fear of UV. UV can be beneficial, because it helps us produce Vitamin D, which is super important in the prevention of bone issues, cardiovascular health, and more. Did you know that 42% of people in the US are Vitamin D deficient? Moderation is the key, though, because exposure to too much UV light can cause skin cancer. 

As an architect, I see how our buildings and cities have changed to keep us from the sun. We wake up, head to our garages for our cars, drive to our work garages, and work until the sun goes down. We don't eat our meals outside often; we have traded our outdoor walks for gym memberships. 

Now, my dermatologist would not want to see me getting a Coppertone tan like I'm 70s chic. But, the WHO recommends 5-15 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week. Do we even get that with our busy lives? We can supplement Vitamin D, or eat foods rich in Vitamin D like fish or mushrooms. We can also just pay attention to how often we are in the sun, especially when winter comes around! Do our houses and workspaces allow us to get a few minutes here and there? Sure hope yours does. 

Take a look at this article for some new information on the benefits of Vitamin D. Get your levels checked, eat good food, and maybe take a walk outside sometimes to enjoy a natural way to get your Vitamin D.

https://lnkd.in/eRfz5igv