Did you know that roughly half of American adults are vitamin D deficient? Thanks to being further away from the equator, many people avoiding sunlight, and the lack of vitamin D in foods, it isn’t that hard to become deficient of this much-needed nutrient. If you’re a part of one of these groupings, you should consider taking a blood test to find out if you’re in the danger zone:

Ages 55 and Up

Attention seniors and those who are close to this age group, you may be low on vitamin D! The reason almost half of all seniors are deficient is that of their skin’s inability to synthesize vitamin D from the sun as effectively as it once did. Additionally, those who have trouble walking and cannot get outside regularly will see similar low levels.

Darker Colored Skin

A person’s skin can come in many different colors and shades. Unfortunately, those with darker skin will experience lower levels of vitamin D compared to those with lighter skin. This is because darker skin has more melanin on its outermost layer — meaning it makes absorption of vitamin D more difficult.

Migraine Sufferers

Do you have constant headaches or migraines? Your vitamin D levels might too low. A person that is deficient in vitamin D is twice as likely to have recurring headaches, compared to someone with healthy levels. This much-needed nutrient is believed to help minimize the inflammation that causes headaches and migraines.

Sometimes it feels like there are too many vitamins to keep track of — so just make sure vitamin D is one you pay close attention to. For other useful tips and information, visit our blog! If you’re interested in learning more or visiting The Arbors Assisted Living community, schedule a tour by contacting one of our five convenient locations:

Bohemia
Hauppauge
Islandia East
Islandia West
Westbury