AUGUST 13, 2009 — One of the nation’s most powerful lobbying blocks printed a story in its bi-monthly consumer magazine urging people to realize that Vitamin D is “The Sunshine Vitamin” for a reason and to get some sun or risk vitamin D deficiency.

The American Association of Retired Persons printed an article written by Dr. Colleen Pierre in its September/October magazine entitled, “The Sunshine Vitamin: Are You Getting Enough?”

“Ironically, just as researchers are discovering the added importance of vitamin D, Americans are getting less and less of it,” Pierre wrote. “Average blood levels of the vitamin declined between 1994 and 2004, report University of Colorado researchers, in part because we’ve been told to cover up to avoid skin cancer. Those over age 50 may be particularly susceptible to vitamin D deficiency because our skin’s ability to produce the vitamin declines as we age, as does our kidneys’ ability to convert vitamin D into its active form.”

Pierre pointed out that some doctors now suggest 10-15 minutes of sun a few times a week and included a table in the article from Vitamin D expert Dr. Michael Holick showing that sun exposure is by far the most abundant source of vitamin D.

To read the AARP story click here.