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Too much time indoors using technology increases risk of vitamin D deficiency, experts say

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

People are increasingly looking to technology to fill their downtime. However, some experts worry that this may be partially responsible for the rise in unhealthy vitamin D test results experienced by patients all across the country.

Vitamin D is actually a hormone that is produced in the skin following exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. However, spending all of one's time indoors can preclude individuals from accessing this source of the nutrient. Furthermore, there are few natural food sources of vitamin D.

In recent years, the amount of time that individuals spend in front of the television and computer screen has increased dramatically. Some health experts say this means they are spending less time outside in the sun.

"Increasing the amount of vitamin D in the body can prevent or help treat a remarkable number of ailments," wrote Dr. Andrew Weill in the forward to a new book on the benefits of vitamin D written by researcher Michael Holick. "[People] also need to get outdoors more."

The role of vitamin D was previously thought to be limited to aiding in the absorption of calcium. However, recent investigations have shown that it is crucial to cardiovascular and lung health, as well.