For the past thirty years or so, dutiful Draper parents have been slathering their children with sunscreen when the little swimmers or soccer players head out into the sun. Draper dermatologists and oncologists have urged us to be vigilant about skin cancer risks.
That’s all well and good, right? Then we started hearing about the importance of Vitamin D.
As it turns out, millions of American children, many here in Draper, are deficient in this essential but elusive nutrient.
Vitamin D is important for bone health, cell growth, immune system function, and keeping inflammation in check. Ironically, researchers are finding evidence that Vitamin D can help prevent many types of cancer.
What’s a confused Draper parent to do? Draper pediatricians don’t encourage parents to stop protecting their children from sunburn, but many say that 5-20 minutes of unprotected exposure may help ensure that your child has adequate levels of Vitamin D. When it comes to sun exposure, a little goes a long way.
If you wonder whether your Draper child needs Vitamin D supplements, talk to your Salt Lake City pediatrician or primary care doctor.
This site is for Draper people who are dedicated to improving the health of children in the Salt Lake City area. I am Melanie Green. Call me today for more details.
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