• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / / Are Blacks Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Are Blacks Getting Enough Vitamin D?

A pile of different types of vitamins(BlackDoctor.org) — There are so many reasons to love our darker toned skin, especially the fact that it naturally fights off skin cancer. But on the other hand, African Americans are usually deficient in vitamin D because the pigmentation of their skin limits the amount of vitamin D production in our bodies.

The Best Way To Get Vitamin D

Vitamin D acts like the key to open our bones to allow for calcium absorption.  It has many other roles which help to improve our overall health.  Obtaining adequate amounts of this vitamin are important for bone health, strengthening our immunity, and regulating cell growth.  Some recent studies have speculated that adequate vitamin D intake can prevent cancer.

Vitamin D is generally absorbed from direct sunlight on our skin and it is activated once it is absorbed.  Even if you have a lighter skin shade, you may still be deficient in vitamin D, because we are now a more sedentary society and tend to spend most of our time indoors getting away from the sun.

Are Blacks Getting Enough Vitamin D?

According to the National Institute of Health, the adequate intake of vitamin D from birth to age 50 is 200IU per day; age 51-70 intake should be 400IU and after age 70, intake should increase to 600IU per day.  Although the main source of vitamin D is sunlight, there are other ways to obtain adequate amounts. Since it’s actually a hormone that is fat-soluble, vitamin D is also found in certain foods, including dairy products, fish, and fish oils. For example, a 1 oz. filet of sockeye salmon contains over 200 IUs (International Units) of vitamin D. Another good source is whole grain vitamin fortified cereals which contains almost half of the daily recommended adequate intake.

You May Also Like
5 Top Sunscreens for Black Skin

You should note that it is possible to take in too much vitamin D, so before making any major changes, it is important to discuss how vitamin D can play a role in your health care and well-being.

May 4, 2011 by By Kristen F. Gradney, RD, LDN, BDO Contributing Writer

Read Next Article

The Latest In

normal heart rate

Is Your Heart Beating Too Fast? Here’s How To Tell

Many of us probably don't know what our resting heart rate is, however, it is a key component of our heart health that is often overlooked. Knowing your heart rate is important because the higher your resting heart rate, the read more about Is Your Heart Beating Too Fast? Here’s How To Tell
nutrients

11 Nutrients You’re Probably Not Getting Enough Of

Your body needs the right kinds of fuel to keep going every day. Here’s how to get more of the nutrients you need into your diet, recommended amounts based on the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 1. Vitamin C read more about 11 Nutrients You’re Probably Not Getting Enough Of
monkeypox vaccine

FDA Stretches Monkeypox Vaccine Supply by Authorizing Smaller Doses

As at-risk Americans stand in long lines across the country, trying to get the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine, U.S. officials on Tuesday announced they will modify dosing instructions for the shot to help stretch the supply. What do the new instructions entail? The read more about FDA Stretches Monkeypox Vaccine Supply by Authorizing Smaller Doses
vaccine hesitancy

Did COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Create Hesitancy For Other Vaccines?

Unsettling vaccination practices are evolving beyond outbreaks and anti-vaccine rhetoric in the U.S. Many states are working to eliminate long-standing public school vaccination restrictions that have kept fatal and crippling infections under control for decades. Colorado Republicans opposed vaccinations in read more about Did COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Create Hesitancy For Other Vaccines?
chronic stress

3 Ways Stress Is Affecting Your Skin

Everyone encounters stressful situations, whether that be working with difficult managers, relationship problems, child rearing, a family death, bills and taking our pets to the vet. Life is full of everyday problems. While some people have access to ways that read more about 3 Ways Stress Is Affecting Your Skin
fruits for anxiety

4 Delicious Fruits That Can Help Ease Your Anxiety

The COVID-19 pandemic was rough on everybody, and it left many people with anxiety about things to come. But I'm here to help you by telling you about some fruit that can relieve anxiety symptoms. fruits for anxiety I'm talking read more about 4 Delicious Fruits That Can Help Ease Your Anxiety

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Like Father, Like Son: ‘Miami Vice’ Star’s Son Handsome Like his DaddyLike Father, Like Son: 'Miami Vice' Star's Son Handsome Like his Daddy
  • LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: “We Celebrate Life”LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: "We Celebrate Life"
  • Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes AmputatedFootball Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated
  • Halle Berry: Over 50 ‘Just Keeps Getting Better With Time’Halle Berry: Over 50 'Just Keeps Getting Better With Time'
  • Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.