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Costa Rica Sunshine-A Good Source of Vitamin D!

• by Bret G. Dudl
• 08.07.10
• 10:20 AM UTC

• Filed in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Wellness

(Written by Elaine Osterhout, MS, A.C.E.)

Costa Rican Sunny Beach

If you are looking for another good reason to visit or move to Costa Rica, the benefit of the Costa Rica sunshine on your health may be it!  The climate in Costa Rica is warm and pleasant all year round and with few exceptions, the sun shines every day for at least part of or all of the day!  Sunlight is the best and only natural source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D sufficiency is becoming one of the most important preventive factors in leading a healthy lifestyle. Numerous studies are now linking Vitamin D deficiency to higher rates of various types of cancer‚ heart disease‚ osteoporosis‚ and many other diseases. Only a few foods naturally contain or are fortified with supplemental Vitamin D.  An 8-ounce glass of whole milk is fortified with 100 IU (international units) of Vitamin D; just 10 percent of what many conservative Vitamin D researchers now say is needed daily for optimal health.  Comparatively, sun exposure to the skin makes thousands of units of Vitamin D in a short period of time.  That’s about 90 percent of our Vitamin D naturally!  Humans spend less time in the sun today than previous generations which is why an increasing number of people worldwide are believed to be Vitamin D deficient.  Safe sun exposure to the skin, about 10-15 minutes per day, is the most natural and effective source of Vitamin D. While overexposure to sunlight carries risks, no research from sunlight exposure to our skin has shown that non-burning exposure to UV light poses a significant risk of skin damage. Unlike dietary or supplementary Vitamin D, when you get your daily dose of Vitamin D from sunshine your body takes only the amount it needs!  It won’t be hard to find at least 10-15 minutes of daily sunshine and more year round in the beautiful country of Costa Rica!

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