Significance of Vitamin D and Its Health Benefits

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin that is produced by the body as a response to sun exposure. Not only by sun, Vitamin D can also be obtained from food and supplements. Having enough amount of vitamin D in the body is important for a number of reasons. It is essential for maintaining the health of your teeth and bones. It has also been found to be effective in protecting the body against cancer, multiple sclerosis, thyroid, and type 1 Diabetes. 

Two of the most common and important vitamins D are vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is commonly found in plants and food and has only 8 percent of positive effects on the body. Organic vitamin D3 is fat-soluble, which can be obtained from exposure to sun and also from some animal-based food products. Because of these benefits, most of the nutritionists and doctors recommend taking supplements of vitamin D3 to avoid its deficiency.

Despite its name, this vitamin is considered as a pro-hormone and not actually a vitamin. Vitamins are generally nutrients that are not created by body but obtained from our diet.

However, vitamin D can be synthesized when the body comes in contact with sunlight. It is found that sun exposure on bare skin for 5 to 10 minutes in 2-3 times per week allows the body to produce sufficient amount of vitamin D. But it breaks down quite quickly, especially during winters.

· Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining the level of phosphorus in the blood and regulation of calcium. These are two factors are important for healthy bones. 

· The deficiency of vitamin D in children can cause rickets. This is a disease characterized by bow-legged appearance, due to softening of bones.

· In adults, the deficiency of this vitamin manifests as osteomalacia or osteoporosis. These problems result in poor bone density with muscular weakness. Osteoporosis is the most common problem among older men and post-menopausal women.

It is recommended that 1200 international units of vitamin D for 4 months are given to children per day during winters. This reduces the risk of influenza in kids and makes them safe.

It was found in many studies that there is an inverse relationship between vitamin D and blood concentration in the body. And also there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People suffering from type 2 diabetes have an insufficient level of vitamin D that negatively affects insulin secretion. In one other study, it was also found that infants who get 2000 UI vitamin per day have 88 percent lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes by the age of 32. To ensure you don’t suffer from its deficiency consuming supplement of organic vitamin D3 5000 IU is recommended.

Women who are pregnant and deficient in vitamin D are at great risk. There are chances that may get affected by preeclampsia. And also vitamin D associated gestational diabetes and bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. Also, high vitamin during pregnancy is associated with an increase in the risk of food allergy. This can continue in a child even after 2 years of his birth.

Vitamin D is important in regulating the growth of cell and for a cell to cell communication. Also, the hormonally active form of vitamin D that is calcitriol can help in reducing the progression of cancer. It slows down the growth and develops new blood vessels in cancerous tissues. Reducing proliferation of cell, metastases and increasing cancer cell death are also done by vitamin D.

The deficiency of vitamin D is also associated with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease like hypertension, autism, multiple sclerosis, asthma severity, rheumatoid arthritis, and swine flu. 

·        Getting sick more often
·        Fatigue
·        Painful bones and back
·        Impaired wound healing
·        Depressed mood
·        Muscle pain
·        Hair loss

·        Diabetes
·        Obesity
·        Hypertension
·        Depression
·        Chronic fatigue syndrome
·        The deficiency of vitamin D also contributes to the development of cancer, especially breast cancer, and colon cancer. 

·        Pastured butter
·        Pastured egg yolk
·        Liver and organ meat of pastured animals.
·        Raw milk
·        Raw cream
·        Oily fish(tuna, wild salmon, herring, sardines)
·        Cod liver oil
·        Pastured animal's fat

1.     Eat food that is rich in vitamin D3, A and K2 on a regular basis.
2.     Try to get about 20-30 minutes of unfiltered sunlight daily.
3.     If you are concerned that you are facing the deficiency of vitamin D, then get yourself tested by a practitioner. And if you are found deficient of VDR polymorphism, then it's important to eat animal food that is rich in vitamin A, D and K2 and get plenty of sunlight.

You can also take some supplements in the deficiency of vitamin D. Supplement that is rich with organic vitamin d3 5000 can help in balancing the deficiency. You can also consult with a doctor before continuing the supplements.