Vitamin D is actually a type of hormone and produced by our skin with the help of ultraviolet light. When we are exposed to sunlight, the ultraviolet rays strikes the 7-dehydrocholesterol molecule that’s converted to provitamin D. This nutrient is produced by the UV-B wavelength, at about 282nm. At this wavelength, the ultraviolet rays don’t penetrate transparent surface well.
So, we won’t get the full benefit if we are behind the window. Clothing is another thing that obstructs the UV-B from reaching our skin, so it is a good idea to wear the least clothes. Dark-skinned people block more ultraviolet ray, so they need to get exposed with sunlight longer to get the same benefit.
Sunlight isn’t enough; we also need to eat good food to increase the production of vitamin D. These include fortified milk, phytoplankton, mushroom, algae, dark green vegetables, butter, egg yolk, liver, mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines and cod liver oil. It should be noted that older people have less ability to produce vitamin D in their skin. This is because they already experience declines in kidney and liver functions.
Older people also have poorer digestive efficiency and this causes worse absorption. People with more severe malabsorption problems, kidney diseases and issues with their pancreas and liver could also have vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat soluble substance and it requires precholesterol. Alternatively, we can use artificial light to produce enough vitamin D in our skin. Some tanning equipments can be used if they have enough UV-B ratio.
To meet our vitamin D needs, we should be exposed with at least 15 minutes of sunlight before midday, 3 times a week. Unfortunately, pregnant and nursing mothers may not get enough sun; but vitamin D is important for their infants. Babies who have mothers with adequate vitamin D could have stronger bones and other positive health parameters.
Vitamin D is one of the most important hormones and it affects the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in our intestinal tracts. In reality, vitamin D doesn’t only affect calcium absorption. It also affects paracrine and autocrine cellular functions; as well as cell growth. We will also have improved muscle coordination and strength. People who have enough vitamin D could get enhanced energy metabolism and immunity.
Vitamin D is also important for babies, because it can affect brain development. In general, many biochemistry, physiology and anatomy aspects are influenced by vitamin D. We shouldn’t ignore Mother Nature, because we will pay the price. Human is designed as an outdoor creature and our skin should be exposed to sun, at least 10 minutes each day.
People with vitamin D deficiency could have immune suppression, increased infection, psoriasis, rickets, blood clotting abnormalities, thyroid dysfunctions, deafness, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, kidney diseases, vision loss, insomnia, chronic fatigue, muscle pain and liver disease.
Many people are concerned about the risk of skin cancer if they are exposed to sun. In general, bad things won’t happen as long as we don’t get sunburned. Sunburn is the first indication of excessive exposure to sunlight and if we are prudent enough to avoid it; it is unlikely for sun to cause cancer.
How Internet Infrastructure Is Slowing Down Your Internet Speed wisconsin health fund – wisconsin health fund
It is no secret that internet speed matters quite a lot. It does not only make web surfing more enjoyable but it also reduces lag time in online video games and helps you combat all those pop up ads. When having troubles with internet speed, people tend to blame it on their internet providers. Providers may sometimes “throttle” internet or not provide your area with proper infrastructure. The factor that our internet speed mostly depends on is the structure of internet exchange points at the ISP level. What is so important about it is that it shortens geographical distances that data has to travel. And here it is more about it.
Internet Exchange Points
First of all, geographical distance is one of the biggest barriers when it comes to internet speed. Even the conductivity of specific cabling does not seem to be important when data has to travel so much. That is why internet exchange points can play such an important role. If internet exchange points would be located closer towards a certain place, internet in that place would be much faster. Also, how fast is one’s internet, heavily depends on the coverage of internet exchange.
These problems tend to reduce internet speed in many countries. For example, in USA, the biggest problem is where the internet exchanges are located. On the other hand, in some less developed countries, like Nigeria, the quantity of internet exchange points is what drastically slows down the internet speed. Another problem with internet in such countries is that internet traffic is sent to Europe.
How Infrastructure is the Problem
As mentioned above, infrastructure plays a very important role when it comes to internet speed. Still, internet speed is not going to get drastically improved if, for example, material of the cables would be changed. The best way internet service providers can help us boost our internet speed is investing in internet exchange points. When there is no enough internet exchange points or not enough money has been invested in the existing ones, the internet has to turn to BGP (Border Gateway Protocol). In that case BGP is responsible for sending traffic over longer distances. And bigger the distances it has to travel, slower the internet is going to be.
Last Mile Access Providers
Your local ISPs or the last mile access providers are one of the biggest reasons why internet might not be as fast as it should be. They tend to combat internet neutrality and they have the most to lose when there is much completion in the same geographical area. That is why consumers should always demand better infrastructure from their internet service providers. But still, consumers should not be too demanding as well.
First of all, the consumers should do a free internet speed test in order to learn how fast their internet actually is. Once that is done, consumers should compare their internet speed to the one promised by their internet service provider. In the case real internet speed is much lower than expected, consumers should start demanding more internet exchange points at more strategic locations. Only once there are more internet exchange points, consumers should also demand more fiber optic cables from their internet service providers.
As seen above, internet infrastructure can be one of the biggest reasons your internet is not as fast as it should be. Still, internet service providers do not have a custom of upgrading their internet exchange points or locating them better, unless demanded by consumers. So if you notice your internet is too slow and you are having troubles with it, you should definitely contact your internet service provider and let them know you are struggling with your internet speed. With more internet exchange points which are located properly, we would all struggle much less with our internet speed and we would finally be able to surf the web like we are supposed to.
