Episode Summary:
In this eye-opening episode, host Beth Quaas welcomes Dr. Beth Sanford, a seasoned nurse educator and passionate advocate for vitamin D awareness, to explore the critical role vitamin D plays in physical, cognitive, and emotional health. From personal stories to evidence-based research, Dr. Sanford shares powerful insights about how vitamin D deficiency affects not just the general population but especially nurses, night shift workers, students, and healthcare professionals.

You’ll learn why this “low-hanging fruit” is often overlooked in clinical care, how to assess your own risk, and what steps you can take to improve your health—and maybe even save lives.

Key Topics Covered:

• What vitamin D does in the body (and why it’s vital for nurses!)
• Common causes of deficiency (including medication use and sunscreen habits)
• How geographic location and skin tone impact vitamin D levels
• The connection between vitamin D deficiency and mental health, pregnancy, cognitive function, and cancer risk
• Tools and resources for both patients and clinicians

Resources & Links:
Connect with Dr. Beth Sanford on LinkedIn.
Visit Beth's website.
Dr. Beth Sanford touches on this topic in her podcast episode:

• Vitamin D and Immune Health (2022)
• Vitamin D and Gut Health (2023)

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