7 Benefits of Vitamin D For Your Body
7 Benefits of Vitamin D For Your Body
Vitamin D or the "sunshine vitamin" is one of the body's most important vitamins for immune support, mood-boosting, and many other benefits.
Vitamin D or the "sunshine vitamin" is one of the body's most important vitamins for immune support, mood-boosting, and many other benefits.
Did you know vitamin D is actually a hormone that is absorbed and stored in fat cells? It switches on and off the genes responsible for proper immune function.
Vitamin D comes mostly from sun exposure, however, the majority of people aren't outside for long enough to even absorb enough of it. This results in vitamin D deficiency in most of the population. What do we do to remedy this?
Vitamin D can be taken in the form of capsules, sprays, and even in fish oil. It can also be found in high amounts in fatty fish, liver and egg yolks.
Let's go through the main benefits of vitamin D and why it's such an important vitamin to take one a daily basis.
Promotes Healthy Bones
Vitamin D Improves Mood
Taking vitamin D regularly can improve mood and ward off symptoms of depression and anxiety. It helps the brain function and can prevent certain mental illnesses. Since we are not accustomed to being out in the sun all day, most people could be affected by low levels of vitamin D and depression.
People with Seasonal Affective Disorder or (SAD) are proven to have lower levels of vitamin D which affects the activity of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin is the "feel-good" hormone and is a chemical that is essential for mood regulation.
Studies have also shown that social withdrawal and lack of self-care can cause low levels of vitamin D and as a result, depression. Taking the recommended dose of vitamin D daily can break this cycle and put you on a track to better mental health.
How often do you go outside?
What is the tone closest to your skin tone?
How old are you?
What is your body weight?
What is your diet like?
Do you have any of these diseases?
Do you have a history of depression?
Do you experience chronic pain, fatigue, muscle weakness or mood changes?
Do you experience trouble concentrating or anxiety?
Do you often have injuries or broken bones?
You most likely don't have a vitamin D deficiency...
You most likely don't have a vitamin D deficiency...
You are doing all the things that keep your vitamin D levels in balance! Keep it up!
You may have a vitamin D deficiency...
You may have a vitamin D deficiency...
Judging by your results, you could be vitamin D deficient! Be sure to eat more fatty fish, and vitamin D fortified foods!
Promotes Good Oral Health
Prevent Respiratory Infections
Taking vitamin D can reduce your risk of respiratory infections (cold and flu). Vitamin D has the ability to trigger the immune response to help fight viruses and bacteria.
A study published by BMJ showed that vitamin D only reduced the symptoms of 12 percent of the test subjects who were experiencing an acute respiratory illness. The results show that vitamin D could possibly prevent millions of respiratory illnesses each year.
Even though studies have been done to prove this, the results remain inconclusive.
Prevents Hypertension
Prevents Type 2 Diabetes
The main cause of type 2 diabetes is caused by diet and an inactive lifestyle. Incorporating vitamin D into your diet has been proven to slow the development of type 2 diabetes and regulate blood-glucose levels.
A study was conducted where 96 people were divided; one group was given 5,000 IU's of vitamin D and the other group was given a placebo. The result was that the vitamin D group showed an improvement in insulin sensitivity and the processing of sugar.
Fights Inflammation
This sunshine vitamin deserves the spotlight. Vitamin D has been proven to help fight against diseases such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, diabetes, mental illness, bone disease and even certain types of cancers.
You can find vitamin D in many food sources such as oily fish (mackerel, salmon), red meat, liver or egg yolks. However, to ensure you get the full daily intake, vitamin D also comes in supplements, sprays and even in fish oil.