Recent studies have linked low vitamin D levels with decreased athletic performance.  German literature showed increased athletic performance with UV light as far back as the 1950’s.  Vitamin D is made in by your body when the skin is exposed to UV light.  A recent study of patients presenting with fractures to a pacific northwest hospital showed that 71% of people in the winter and 62% in the summer were vitamin D insufficient or deficient.

Bottom Line: The majority of people in the Pacific Northwest are Vitamin D deficient and this affects your athletic performance.  Make sure you take Vitamin D supplementation.  The institute of medicine recommends 600 IU of Vitamin D a day for people between the ages of 1 and 70 and 800 IU a day for those over 70.