The New York Times recently suggested that vitamin D may become the nutrient of the decade. The CDC estimates that more than half the American population gets too little vitamin D. A study published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that fully one-fourth of the population tested in sunny southern Arizona was deficient in this, the sunshine vitamin. Why are Americans falling short on vitamin D? And what are the health consequences. We talk with a clinician and a researcher about this critical—and often underappreciated—nutrient. Guests: James E. Dowd, M.D., F.A.C.R., is Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Michigan State University and the founder and director of both the Arthritis Institute of Michigan and the Michigan Arthritis Research Center. He is the author of The Vitamin D Cure; Five Steps to Heal Your Pain and Improve Your Mood. His Web site is www.thevitamindcure.com. Michael Holick, Ph.D., M.D., is Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine, and Director of the Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Lab. Since 1987 he has been the Program Director of the General Clinical Research Center. He also directs the Bone Healthcare Clinic and the Biologic Effects of Light Research Center. He is the author of The UV Advantage: The Medical Breakthrough that Shows How to Harness the Power of the Sun for Your Health. The photo is of Dr. Holick. His Web sites are www.uvadvantage.org and www.vitamindhealth.org.
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The People's Perspective on Medicine