As Winter Approaches, Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency Increases

The ‘Sunshine Vitamin’ is Critical during the Winter Season

PRNewswireNORTH BERGEN, N.J.

With days growing shorter and cold weather approaching, many Americans will not be getting the necessary levels of vitamin D in the coming months, a deficiency that could put them at higher risk for such serious illnesses as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression and osteoporosis.

"Sunshine is a significant source of vitamin D," said Christiane Wert Rivard, a Registered Dietitian at The Vitamin Shoppe. "The body produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to direct sunlight. However, as we head into these colder and darker months, it's essential to increase your intake of vitamin D since time spent outside is limited."

Vitamin D deficiency is believed to be an all too common problem that has received inadequate attention given the important role the vitamin plays in preventing disease.

Until recently, the "sunshine vitamin" was mostly known for improving bone health, but a number of recent studies have shown that its benefits go far beyond preventing bone loss. A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that vitamin D may actually help you live longer. Recent studies have also linked vitamin D deficiencies to higher risk of cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis; and still other studies have found the vitamin could play a role in reducing heart disease and preventing pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.

"In addition to sunlight, another great source of vitamin D is fortified foods, such as milk and ready-to-eat cereals but many people just don't have the time to eat right," said Rivard. "Taking a vitamin D supplement is a great way to get more D in your diet, and now these supplements are available in a variety of forms designed to suit virtually every need."

  The Vitamin Shoppe has identified the latest trends in vitamin D products:   Trend #1 - Vitamin D of the sea   Cod liver oil is a great source of vitamin D, but its unpleasant taste   has caused kids to cringe for generations.  Taste improvements are among   the latest trends in cod liver oil products, including a more palatable   lemon flavor.   Trend #2 - Vegan options   Vitamin D deficiency is of particular concern to strict vegetarians and   vegans because their diet lacks fish, eggs and milk, which are common   sources of this essential nutrient.  The industry has responded to this   need by developing vegan vitamin D supplements that are made without   using any animal products.   Trend #3 - Drink your D   For those who are lactose intolerant or just don't drink milk, there are   other ways to sip vitamin D.  Liquid forms of the supplement allow   consumers to put a dropper full of vitamin D into drinks like juice and   smoothies or right into their mouth.   Trend #4 -Easy to take   Not everyone can swallow pills easily, and supplement manufacturers are   responding by making smaller "micro-tab" versions of tablets.  A chewable   form of vitamin D is also available in a peppermint flavor.

"The best selling vitamin D remains the regular capsule, but these new product trends offer consumers more options to get their daily dose of vitamin D. Anyone who is interested in the benefits of vitamin D should always check with their health professional before buying a supplement," said Rivard. "Testing for vitamin D levels can help people understand the amount they will need to add to their daily diet."

About Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc.

Vitamin Shoppe is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products based in North Bergen, New Jersey. The company sells vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, and other health and beauty aids to customers located primarily in the United States. The company carries national brand products as well as exclusive products under the Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, MD Select, and VS Basics proprietary brands. The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 300 company-owned retail stores, national mail order catalogs, and two websites, www.vitaminshoppe.com and www.Bodytech.com.

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SOURCE: Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc.

CONTACT: Susan McLaughlin of Vitamin Shoppe, +1-888-921-4443,
press@vitaminshoppe.com; or Janet Schiller or Melissa Skabich, both of Coyne
Public Relations, mskabich@coynepr.com, +1-973-316-1665

Web site: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/
http://www.bodytech.com/