Low vitamin D levels increase risk of early death for 66 percent of Americans

The sun is quintessential in facilitating life on planet Earth, meeting the biological requirements of species in all forms. In addition to making our existence possible, sunlight makes us feel good, and according to a new study, keeps us alive longer.

While some places on Earth experience endless amounts of sunshine, others aren’t so lucky. Large populations residing in colder regions consider sunlight a delicacy, many flocking to the Sunbelt of the southern and southwest United States. The equator divides the Earth’s surface between the North Pole and the South Pole. The further you are away from the equator, the greater of an angle the sun hits the atmosphere, making it more difficult to absorb the sun’s most natural rays, or ultraviolet B (UVB).

Those of us fortunate enough to live in the Sunbelt, have less to worry about when it comes to getting enough vitamin D. The amount of sunlight needed to maintain vitamin D levels depends on a few different factors including the time of day, where you live, the color of your skin and the amount of skin you expose.

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