How much time outside do you need in Florida to get the proper amount of Vitamin D? And, if you are not getting it, do you need a supplement?
Those questions arise more frequently during the summer months, when the Florida sun is at its strongest. Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, said in a promotional video produced by the clinic that the amount of Vitamin D each person needs varies.
Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining bone health and can also help reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and promote cell growth. Some scientists theorize that Vitamin D may even slow the aging process.
Vyas at the Cleveland Clinic notes the amount of Vitamin D you need depends on the color of your skin, your rate of Vitamin D metabolism, the duration of your sun exposure, and the intensity of the sun’s rays while you are outside. “An average person with about 25% of their body exposed to the sun would need about three minutes in the sunshine in Miami in summertime but 20 minutes in the sunshine in Boston in the wintertime,” she said.
On average, in Florida, a couple of minutes, several times a week, should be enough, Vyas estimates. Sunscreen does reduce the amount of Vitamin D your body produces. Still, experts say that few people apply enough sunscreen to block all UVB light, or they use sunscreen irregularly, so the effects of sunscreen on Vitamin D likely are not significant.
While some foods contain Vitamin D, experts note that the amount is typically small. Some foods that have it are fatty fish, beef liver, egg yolks, cheese, and mushrooms. Milk, breakfast cereals, and plant-based dairy alternatives are fortified with the vitamin.
The only way to know whether you need a Vitamin D supplement is through a blood test.
JoAnn E. Manson, a researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University, is known for her studies on Vitamin D. She says people who benefit from a supplement typically are adults 75 and older, those being treated for osteoporosis, and people with conditions such as Crohn’s disease or obesity.
The recommended dosage for adults under 65 is 600 to 800 IU daily, and 800 to 1,000 IU for those over 65. Research has linked high doses of Vitamin D and calcium to an increased risk of kidney issues.
Vyas said that certain cholesterol medications, blood pressure medications, and heart medications may interact with Vitamin D, so it is recommended to check with your doctor before taking it.
Checking your genetic risk for cancer
For anyone who wants to take a proactive approach to learning their cancer risk, the TGH Cancer Institute | Cancer Center of South Florida now offers a genetics program in Palm Beach County. The Hereditary Cancer Prevention & Risk Program is available to anyone with active cancer, previously diagnosed with cancer, or who has a family history of cancer.
Hereditary risk counselor Catherine Marinak, a nurse practitioner specializing in cancer risk assessment, leads the program. Marinak reviews the patient’s family medical history and determines whether the individual will benefit from a personalized evaluation and possible testing.
“By understanding genetic risks, we can take meaningful steps toward preventing cancer or catching it early, when treatment has the greatest impact,” Marinak said. “If a patient decides to pursue genetic testing, our team will be there to guide them every step of the way.”
FIU study reveals how to enjoy exercise more
Most people think you either like to exercise or you don’t. A new study by Florida International University found that people can rewire their brains to make exercise feel less punishing and even enjoyable.
“Maybe you think having low tolerance for exercise is just part of your personality,” said FIU neuroscientist Marcelo Bigliassi, who specializes in AI-driven neuroscience and the brain-body connection. “But our data shows that’s not necessarily true. The brain can adapt and reset its limits when you give it a new point of reference or comparison.”
For the FIU study, participants first submerged their hand in ice water for up to three minutes, followed immediately by a burst of intense cycling. Participants who completed the cold test first found the cycling portion more tolerable and even enjoyable.
To help your brain form new patterns regarding exercise, Bigliassi and his team suggest finding an activity you enjoy, starting small with a manageable goal, using distractions like music and video to make workouts feel easier, using cues like wearable fitness alerts to stay on track, working out with friends and rewarding your progress.
Breast implant removal ramps up
Dr. Joshua Lampert, an Aventura plastic and reconstructive surgeon, says he is as busy removing breast implants as he is putting them in.
Lampert said many women who undergo breast enhancement surgery are unaware that implants are not lifetime devices and that they will likely need additional surgeries as the implants age. In some cases, the implants make the women ill.
New technology is improving implants; however, Lampert says some women who had the surgery decades ago are now experiencing pain, ruptures, and discomfort from scar tissue. Sometimes, symptoms like lethargy, brain fog and skin problems are linked to the implants, without women realizing the connection, he said.
“A lot of women get their implants removed for other reasons and say ‘I feel so much better now,’” Lampert said.
Removing implants requires a different expertise than putting them in. “There are a wide variety of deformities that can occur, and that’s what’s hard,” Lampert said. “The challenging part is trying to get aesthetically acceptable results on a patient.”
Lampert said he mastered a removal technique and now receives referrals from other surgeons. He still does implants — but says he provides patients with a warning. “A good surgeon is going to explain the risks and benefits.”
There have now been more than 1,700 cases worldwide of cancer linked to breast implants. The Breast Implant Safety Alliance, a nonprofit made up mainly of survivors, is working to raise awareness, recently holding a news conference in Tampa calling for women to be better informed about the risks.
Improved rehabilitation center at Holy Cross
Holy Cross Health celebrated the unveiling of the Jon & Helaine Ayers Rehabilitation Center with a special dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting on July 8.
Previously known as the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, Holy Cross Health has completely renovated the facility and made a significant investment in state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation equipment, thanks to a $2 million gift from Jon and Helaine Ayers. Jon Ayers, the former chairman and CEO of IDEXX Laboratories, was seriously injured in a catastrophic bike crash. “My spinal cord injury six years ago has given me a great appreciation for physical and occupational therapy,” he said in a prepared statement.
As part of this capital project, Holy Cross Health introduced eight new pieces of equipment that help patients regain and improve their mobility and balance.
Community Foundation gives big to local cancer research
Cancer patients in Broward County will gain more access to cutting-edge research and treatments thanks to new grants from the Community Foundation of Broward totaling $900,000. The Foundation awarded the grants to the Memorial Foundation, Lung Cancer Biomarkers & Precision Therapy, and to Nova Southeastern University, Exosome-Based Immunotherapies for Melanoma.
Memorial’s research aims to expand and enhance a biobank focused on lung cancer. Nova’s research studies how exosomes from melanoma cells treated with their proprietary H1/H2 inhibitors affect the immune system, especially when combined with immunotherapies.
“Our new cancer-fighting grants are made possible by dedicated local philanthropists who partner with the Community Foundation to advance cancer research that fuels new discoveries and better treatments,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson.
Anderson said the grants will jump-start initial research and enable innovative scientists to strive for breakthroughs that bring hope to cancer patients in Broward.
Free syphilis tests in Broward County
Labcorp and NOWDx announced they are distributing thousands of free rapid syphilis test kits to health centers across the U.S. including two in South Florida.
AHF Wellness Centers and High Impacto were selected as two of 15 public health clinics to receive the First to Know Syphilis Test kits that deliver results in 15 minutes. The AHF Wellness Centers provide high-quality HIV care and services to those in need, and High Impacto provides education and access to health services to Latinos in Broward County.
Syphilis rates in the U.S. are at their highest since the 1950s, and 60% of people who have syphilis don’t even know they’re infected.
“Our mission is to empower public health professionals with tools that can change the trajectory of disease in their communities,” Robert Weigle, CEO of NOWDx, said in a prepared statement. “With Labcorp’s reach and shared commitment to addressing public health issues, this donation places rapid testing directly into the hands of providers serving those most at risk.”
Fellowships in Boca Raton for Emergency Medical Services
Florida Atlantic University has partnered with Baptist Health and local emergency medical services and fire rescue agencies to offer fellowships to students seeking experience across multiple emergency medical service systems. The FAU Emergency Medical Services Fellowship will be based at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, a part of Baptist Health, as a member of the FAU College of Medicine’s Graduate Medical Education Consortium.
As part of the program, fellows will respond to 911 emergencies in dedicated FAU/Baptist EMS vehicles, working alongside first responders in the field. They also will serve as attending physicians in the health system’s emergency departments, ensuring continuity of care and maintaining clinical expertise.
Have a health-related tip or story to share? South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.