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Central New Yorkers face common nutrient deficiencies

A circular clock with highly nutritious foods filling the quadrants.
Kat Kollins with Microsoft Copilot AI

With Daylight Savings Time setting back the clock, New Yorkers are at a higher risk of nutrient deficiencies due, in part, to lack of sun and poor dietary habits.

A study by Oregon State University found common deficiencies include Vitamin D, calcium, and Vitamin A. Without those key minerals, we risk bone weakness, vision problems, and other health issues.

Experts say processed foods are the other major factor, which research shows can be offset by nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, dairy, and fish. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function with low levels linked to mood changes, including depression, fatigue and muscle pain.

The study confirms spending time outdoors during daylight hours when possible and taking vitamin D supplements helps.

Kat is WAER's anchor/producer, delivering local news content and hosting NPR's "All Things Considered." She excels in creating engaging long-form content, managing promotions, and leading audio editing projects. Kat is also instrumental in converting daily news content into digital formats for distribution on WAER.org.