WCBS—New York—April 9, 2010
But, increasingly, Americans are becoming severely vitamin D deficient. The reason why may surprise you. Ironically, it's because we've done such a good job protecting ourselves from the sun and skin cancer.
Already, nearly three quarters of all Americans, many of them children, are vitamin D deficient.
High school student Stephanie Mitzner is suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. She recently had three stress fractures and her doctors at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York advise against running on her cross country team.
"In terms of running, I just don't think it's safe," said Dr. Shevaun Doyle of Hospital for Special Surgery.
"Some of the vitamin D deficient children may take longer to heal their fractures."
Until further studies are conducted the National Skin Care Foundation says the absolute best way to get the necessary vitamin D is through a combination of diet and supplements.
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