By now you’ve probably heard of a recent study in the journal Pediatrics that’s been the subject of a great deal of buzz: about 70% of kids in the U.S. aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D, which is produced naturally during sun exposure and can be found in some fish and in supplemented foods like milk and some breakfast cereals, is known to be crucial for building bones and protecting against diseases like type 2 diabetes.

This study has possible ramifications for food allergies — a 2007 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology noted that EpiPen prescriptions and prescriptions for other allergy and asthma medications were highest among children in the New England states. The study posited that inadequate Vitamin D intake in areas with longer, colder winters might account for the difference.

The takeaway? Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure (sans sunscreen) per day is sufficient for your body to generate levels of Vitamin D that are currently considered adequate. It’s a worthy goal and just may help in preventing the development of allergies.

• About.com Allergies: Vitamin D Deficiency Causes Allergies and Asthma
• CNN: Vitamin D Deficiency Common in U.S. Children