The Incredible Benefits of Vitamin D for Your Health
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for maintaining good health. It plays an important role in calcium absorption, bone health, and immune function. While vitamin D is naturally produced by the body when exposed to sunlight, many people are deficient in this vital nutrient. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of vitamin D and why you should make sure you’re getting enough of it.
Research continues to prove the extensive benefits of Vitamin D, also known as calciferol. Recently, Vitamin D was classified as a steroid hormone, not just a fat-soluble vitamin. Nonetheless, Vitamin D is essential in regulating important functions of the body. Let's break it down.
Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of strong bones. It plays a crucial role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for bone growth and development. Without adequate levels of Vitamin D, bones can become brittle and weak, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. A study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that people who took Vitamin D supplements had a lower risk of fractures than those who did not. However, we understand that the benefits of Vitamin D go far beyond calcium regulation, supporting bone density.
Vitamin D is also important for immune function. It helps to regulate the immune system and can reduce the risk of infections and autoimmune diseases. In fact, research has shown that vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections such as the flu and pneumonia.
Vitamin D may also play a role in mood and mental health. Studies have found a link between low levels of Vitamin D and depression. One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that people with depression had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than those without depression.
Research has also shown that Vitamin D may help prevent certain types of cancer. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that people with higher levels of Vitamin D had a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. Other studies have found that Vitamin D may also reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Your body can produce Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun’s UVB rays. However, many factors can affect your ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight, such as where you live, the time of year, and the use of sunscreen. For this reason, it’s important to get Vitamin D from other sources as well. Good dietary sources of Vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods such as milk and cereal.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, an estimated 40-80% of the population is Vitamin D deficient. Up to 95 percent of most people's vitamin D comes from casual sunlight exposure; however, most lifestyles do not allow sufficient time in the sun, leading to the necessity for supplementation.
Where do you begin? It's important to remember that every individual is different. I recommend getting your Vitamin D tested before supplementation to understand your baseline. After one to two months of supplementation, get tested again to ensure correct dosing. With this being said, studies have tested supplementing up to 10,000 IUs a day without adverse or toxic effects detected.
Check out my recommended Vitamin D here! The D3 supplement I recommend is in liquid form. There are a couple reasons why. The first and most important reason is the bioavailability of this supplement. Bioavailability refers to the amount of the supplement that is absorbed in the body and also how well it is utilized by the body. Another reason is the ease of use. Just one or two drops into water or directly on the tongue allows this supplement to be used by anyone.