What is Vitamin D And Why Do Our Bodies Need It?
Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin”, is a vital part of health and self-care. It helps regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in our bodies. This is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Without adequate Vitamin D levels, our health can have a severe impact. It can even lead to conditions such as rickets or osteomalacia.
Getting enough Vitamin D is important for maintaining good health and managing symptoms of certain medical conditions. It has links to a decrease in risks of heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and depression.
We take Vitamin D as a nutrient, but our bodies also produce it as a hormone. It is a fat-soluble vitamin with a long history of helping the body retain and absorb calcium and phosphorus, both of which are essential for bone development. Additionally, research in the lab demonstrates that vitamin D helps lessen inflammation, manage infections, and slow the growth of cancer cells. Scientists are actively researching additional potential activities for vitamin D, which has receptors in many bodily organs and tissues and suggests crucial roles beyond bone health.
Getting Enough Sunlight and The Right Food
Our bodies produce Vitamin D naturally when we get exposure to sunlight. However this isn’t always possible and so it is important to include this in our diets. Vitamin D3 is not naturally present in many foods. The flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils are the finest sources. Cheese, cow liver, and egg yolks all contain smaller amounts. Some mushrooms contain vitamin D2, and some mushrooms that are marketed commercially have higher levels of vitamin D2 because they have been purposefully exposed to a lot of ultraviolet radiation. This supplement is added to a variety of foods and supplements, including cereals and dairy products. Additionally, foods such as salmon, fish liver oils, eggs, mushrooms, fortified milk, infant formula, and some breakfast cereals are all good sources.
The Recommendation for Adults
The recommendation is that adults aged 19-70 should have 10 micrograms (400 IU) of Vitamin D a day. While adults over the age of 70 should have 15 micrograms (600 IU). Those who don’t get enough sun exposure or do not eat foods containing vitamin D may need to take supplements. Take this only as advised by a health practitioner.
In conclusion, Vitamin D plays an essential role in health and self-care. Getting enough through exposure to sunlight or dietary sources is necessary for health and wellbeing. It is important to talk to your health practitioner if you have any concerns about low levels in your body. We hope it has helped you learn more about the importance of Vitamin D. Ensure that you get enough in your diet. Be sure to take care of yourself and stay healthy!
