Vitamin D: An Overview

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that is required for the optimum functioning of the body. Traces of this vitamin are found in fatty fish. It is often fortified in other food products, such as cereals, juices, and dairy. 
However, nearly 80% to 90% of the vitamin that the body produces is obtained by exposing the body to sunlight. This vitamin can be synthesized in the lab as a medicine.
Benefits of Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is crucial in the prevention and treatment of rickets, which is caused due to lack of the vitamin. 
This vitamin is utilized in the treatment of osteoporosis (weak bones), osteomalacia (bone pain), bone loss due to hyperparathyroidism, and osteogenesis imperfecta (where bones become brittle. 
Individuals with osteoporosis who consume this vitamin have a decreased chance of bone fracture.
This vitamin helps strengthen the blood vessels and heart. It combats high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol. 
It also lowers the risk of tooth and gum disease, premenstrual syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, muscle weakness, obesity and diabetes.
Vitamin D gives a tremendous boost to the immune system; thus, it prevents cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Mechanism of Vitamin D 
To regulate phosphorus and calcium this vitamin is required. It plays a vital role in the maintenance of optimum bone structure. Exposure to the sun is a relatively easy method if you have to get your daily dose of this vitamin.
Exposing the legs, arms, face and hands to the sun should not exceed 1/4th of the time that would give you a mild sunburn. 
The body should be exposed to sunlight for the abovementioned time for nearly 2 to 3 times a week The time for sun exposure will vary across different parameters, such as time of day, season, skin type, and age.
Exposing the body to sunlight is one of the most wonderful ways to synthesize vitamin D in the body. This vitamin is stored in the body in the form of body fat. When the exposure to sunlight ceases, stored vitamin is released in the body.
Deficiency of this vitamin is fairly common across the world. Individuals residing in places where sunlight is poor are particularly at risk of deficiency. 
However, in recent times the deficiency is showing in sunny climates as well because people tend to stay indoors, cover up when outdoors, or because of the increased use of sunscreen to ward off skin cancer.
The elderly population is also at risk for the deficiency of this vitamin. These individuals do not spend enough time in the sunlight and also have a low concentration of skin receptors that are responsible for converting sunlight into this vitamin. 
In addition, their diet may have a poor quantity of Vitamin D. Sometimes the dietary intake is adequate, but there could be trouble in the conversion of dietary vitamin because of ageing kidneys. In all cases of deficiency, supplements should be recommended.
In this overview of Vitamin D, I have debunked the myths and highlighted the facts. I hope that you get your daily supply of this vitamin by exposing your body to the rays of sun, which will help you lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
MWH Nourishtra Vitamin D Gummies are 100% vegan, derived from fruit pulp product in an easily absorbable format.

No comments:

Post a Comment