Richard W. Walker, Jr., MD, received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and completed his residency at the University of Michigan. Optimizing vitamin D through diet and supplements can help reduce the risk and prevent the development of age-related diseases so prevalent within the African American population. These individuals, for various reasons, have a hard time maintaining adequate blood levels.
All of the cells in your body have a Vitamin D receptor, so when your cells are Vitamin D3 deficient, your cells are not working the way they should. This can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and adrenal disease.
The majority of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D; but within the African-American population, 98 percent are affected by vitamin D deficiency.
Why is this sunshine vitamin so important to everyone's health, and especially within the African-American population?
The pigmentation of your skin can prevent the conversion of vitamin D to vitamin D3. In order for this process to occur, your skin needs to let ultraviolet rays in.
Dr. Richard Walker joins Dr. Mike to discuss the benefits of vitamin D3 and its impact on this at-risk population.
Race & Vitamin D3 Deficiency: Are You At Risk?
Guest
: Richard Walker, MD
From the Show: Healthy Talk w/ Dr. Michael Smith
Summary: Low vitamin D plays a role in all age-related diseases, specifically those afflicting African Americans.
Air Date: 2/27/14
Duration: 10
Host: Dr. Michael Smith, MD
