Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that everyone needs to have a healthy body. The nutrients that are required by the human body to function correctly can be found in our food and we can create it by being out in the direct sun light. It’s key to maintaining your overall wellbing throught the colder winter months.
Benefits of Vitamin D
Helps With Bone Health
Low levels of this Vitamin have been associated with an increased risk of fractures in older adults by increasing calcium loss and decreasing bone density. Most of the body’s vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with exposure to sunlight. Despite this, some people don’t produce enough of this vitamin.
Fights Against Cancer
Most cancer cells are sensitive to light. Exposure to sunlight can selectively kill these cells by causing them to stop growing and die prematurely. This can help prevent cancer from developing.
Boosts Immunity
This Vitamin deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and type one diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in adults and Osteoporosis in children.
Prevents Osteoporosis
This Vitamin is required to maintain serum calcium and phosphorus levels in bones. Low vitamin D levels are associated with Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass or density.
Protects Against Infections
The immune system cells called macrophages control infection and inflammation in the body. Its deficiency can be associated with an increased risk of infections and autoimmune diseases such as MS, T1DM, lupus erythematosus (LE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Crohn’s disease (CD).
Prevents Weight Gain
This Vitamin is vital for cell metabolism, appetite regulation, fat storage, muscle function, and inflammation throughout the body. Low vitamin levels have been associated with an increased prevalence of overweight or obesity.
Relieves Chronic Pain
Pain is often triggered by excess production and hypersensitivity of chemicals in our bodies called prostaglandins. This Vitamin is effective in reducing chronic low back pain associated with inflammation. It reduces PGE2, a significant prostaglandin responsible for pain, swelling, and fever.
Helps with Menstrual Cramps
Several studies support using these vitamin supplements or sun exposure to treat menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea. This condition causes lower abdominal pain during menstruation in women of reproductive age.
Symptoms You Lack Vitamin D
Itchy Feet
This Vitamin is essential for the development of healthy bones and teeth. People deficient in this Vitamin may experience an itchy feeling under their feet caused by pruritus.
Muscle Pain
Vitamin D helps calcium absorption and normal muscle function. People deficient in this Vitamin may experience muscle pain due to reduced calcium levels in their bodies.
Aggression
This Vitamin has been linked to regulating emotional behavior, which makes it responsible for preventing psychological disorders such as aggressive behavior and depression.
Muscle Weakness
It plays a role in maintaining muscle mass and preventing muscle wasting, which causes weak muscles and reduced ability to function. This condition can result from poor nutrition, metabolic disorders such as liver disease and kidney failure, or genetic disorders such as McArdle’s disease.
Osteoporosis
This Vitamin is crucial for calcium absorption, which is necessary for developing strong bones and healthy teeth. People deficient in this Vitamin may develop osteopenia, a condition marked by low bone mineral density.
Frequent Cold & Flu
It is required for the immune system to fight infections and prevent the development of influenza. Approximately 75% or more of people suffering from a cough or cold can improve by taking supplements to protect their Immunity.
Food Rich in Vitamin D
Liver
The liver is an excellent source of vitamins. The body can absorb a lot of vitamin D from the liver. Still, more is needed to provide adequate amounts of this vital nutrient. Since our bodies cannot produce enough of this Vitamin, it must be obtained from our diet. Its deficiency can cause a condition known as rickets, often caused by overeating sugary or fatty foods high in phosphorus or protein.
Raw or Cooked Egg Yolks
Raw egg yolks are not biologically toxic. While we can’t stand the taste of raw eggs, our bodies can digest them quite well. Egg yolks are among the richest sources of this Vitamin, offering almost 10% of your daily value per serving.
Shiitake Mushrooms
This Vitamin is beneficial not only to our physical health but also to our emotional health thanks to its ability to interact with serotonin receptors in the brain. Insufficient of this Vitamin in our bodies can lead us towards depression and cause us to experience irritability and fatigue.
