New research confirms that vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) — and therefore exposure to sunlight — is essential for maximizing your bone health, and for preventing and treating a variety of bone diseases.

Vitamin D3 enhances your intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The major source of vitamin D3 is exposure of your skin to sunlight, since very few foods naturally contain vitamin D3 or are fortified with vitamin D3 (most foods are fortified with the less effective vitamin D2).

But vitamin D deficiency is pandemic, and can cause osteopenia, osteoporosis and osteomalacia. Unlike osteoporosis, osteomalacia causes aching bone pain, and is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome or even depression. Vitamin D deficiency also causes muscle weakness, which can increase your risk of falls and fractures.

Adequate vitamin D levels can be sustained by getting sensible sun exposure or ingesting at least 800-1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.

YOUR FITNESS COACH, PERSONAL TRAINER AND FRIEND

ERIC BRAVO.

FOUND ONLY IN WHITTIER CA.