Health Tips for February 16

Health Tip: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, it can also help protect against chronic disease, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

The academy says these people may be at higher-than-normal risk of a vitamin D deficiency:

• Senior citizens.
• Babies who are breast-fed.
• Anyone who has darker skin or lives in areas that get less-than-average amounts of sunlight.
• Anyone who is obese.
• Anyone who doesn't properly absorb nutrients, including people with inflammatory bowel disease or cystic fibrosis.
• Anyone who takes medications called glucocorticoids.

Health Tip: Are You Deficient in Vitamin B-12?

Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin that supports the nervous system, creation of red blood cells and production of DNA. It's primarily found in seafood, meat and dairy products.

If you have low levels of vitamin B-12, it could be because you're not eating enough of these products, or you're having trouble absorbing the vitamin from foods.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says possible reasons for poor absorption of vitamin B-12 include:

An illness known as pernicious anemia, which kills stomach cells that absorb this vitamin.
Crohn's disease, celiac disease or other intestinal problems that affect absorption.
Abnormal growth of bacteria in the stomach.
A side effect of prolonged use of certain drugs, including those that help manage heartburn or ulcers.
A prior surgery on the intestines or stomach.