More reasons for parents to take care of their children sunbathing

Doctors often advise parents to give babies before 2 years of age sunbathing to supplement the body vitamin D synthesized from the sun. Did you know, children with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have hardening of the arteries and heart disease in adulthood. Around the world, vitamin D deficiency is very common in children. There is a lot of data showing that vitamin D deficiency is detrimental to health. Researchers have found evidence that vitamin D deficiency is also linked to artery problems.

As scientists continue to explore the vital role vitamin D plays in the body, vitamin D's most notable role is in heart health. Studies have found that low vitamin D levels increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Vitamin D deficiency in children causes hardening of the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease

Finnish studies were conducted on 2,148 participants who were all between the ages of 3 and 18 in 1980. Participants underwent routine physical tests, including vitamin D testing. , lipid content and blood pressure, diet and smoking status. At age 45, the participants had an ultrasound to evaluate the thickness of the arteries, including the carotid artery in the neck.

The thickness of the arteries, also known as the inner lining of the carotid artery, is a sign of hardening of the arteries that can lead to a risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.

The researchers divided the study participants into four groups, based on average vitamin D levels in their blood as children. Participants with the lowest concentrations (average 15 ng / ml) were nearly twice as likely to have a carotid artery as the other groups, even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors. . A concentration of Vitamin D in the blood between 40 and 80 ng / ml is considered ideal.

Results show an association between low vitamin D levels in childhood and an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in adulthood. This correlation is independent of common cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diet, physical activity, indicators of obesity and economic status. society.

Conducting additional studies to investigate the possibility that low vitamin D levels play a major role in increasing carotid artery thickness is needed. However, the results of this study do highlight the importance of eating a sufficient vitamin D diet.

Take your kids out and sunbathe earlier!

The body synthesizes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. In addition, vitamin D may also be found in a small number of foods. Medical professionals used to know only the role vitamin D plays in maintaining bone health. Currently, research has shown that vitamin D plays an important role in preventing cancer and autoimmune diseases, and other chronic diseases.

One study found another important health benefit of spending a lot of time in sunlight: When exposed to UV radiation, skin also produces nitric oxide gas, which helps slow weight gain and regulates metabolism. This reduces the risk of obesity, the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

These findings support a healthy lifestyle that should include sun exposure not only to exercise, but also to benefit from sunlight exposure. However, skin cannot synthesize vitamin D or nitric oxide by itself when blocked from exposure to UV radiation with clothing or sunscreen. Experts recommend that, to get enough vitamin D, children should be exposed to sunlight in the early morning without any protective protection on their face and hands for at least 15 minutes a day. People with darker skin or living in locations far from the equator may need 2-3 times that amount of time.