In this article we will be discussing a very common question: what does vitamin d help with in your body.
Contents
These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they’re having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.
Information: There have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19). But there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Benefits
It may also protect against a range of diseases and conditions, such as type 1 diabetes.
Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a prohormone, or precursor of a hormone.
Deficiency
Although the body can create vitamin D, a deficiency can occur for many reasons. Absorbing sunlight is essential for the skin to produce vitamin D. Sunscreen: A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 can reduce the body’s ability to synthesize the vitamin by 95% or more .
Geographical location: People who live in northern latitudes or areas of high pollution, work night shifts, or are homebound should aim to consume vitamin D from food sources whenever possible. Breastfeeding: Infants who exclusively breastfeed need a vitamin D supplement, especially if they have dark skin or have minimal sun exposure. Although people can take vitamin D supplements, it is best to obtain any vitamins or minerals through natural sources wherever possible.
Symptoms Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include: regular sickness or infection
fatigue
bone and back pain
low mood
impaired wound healing
hair loss
muscle pain If Vitamin D deficiency continues for long periods, it may result in complications , such as: cardiovascular conditions
autoimmune problems
neurological diseases
infections
pregnancy complications
certain cancers, especially breast, prostate, and colon. Sources of vitamin D Getting sufficient sunlight is the best way to help the body produce enough vitamin D. Plentiful food sources of vitamin D include: fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna
egg yolks
cheese
beef liver
mushrooms
fortified milk
fortified cereals and juices Here, learn how to get more vitamin D from the sun. One microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU.
400 IU (10 mcg). Children 1–18 years: 600 IU (15 mcg). 600 IU (15 mcg).
Adults up to 70 years: 600 IU (15 mcg). 800 IU (20 mcg). Sensible sun exposure on bare skin for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times per week, allows most people to produce sufficient vitamin D. However, vitamin D breaks down quite quickly, meaning that stores can run low, especially in winter.
How Is Vitamin D Different From Other Nutrients?
It’s clear that vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium. (5) Calcium absorption allows the body to maintain a sufficient level of that element as well as phosphate, both of which promote the growth and maintenance of healthy, strong bones. (1)
Rickets is a rare disease in the United States.
(7)
Meanwhile, osteomalacia refers to softening of the bones due to vitamin D deficiency. (8)
Osteoporosis is one of the main causes of fractures and broken bones in the elderly. The Mayo Clinic says this bone disease results when the cycle of new bone creation and old bone loss becomes unbalanced and more bone is lost than created.
Women who are past menopause are at the highest risk of osteoporosis, and as with osteomalacia, people with osteoporosis are often asymptomatic when the disease is in its early stages. Vitamin D supplements don’t prevent fractures or falls, or have any clinically meaningful effect on bone mineral density, according to large review of more than 81 clinical trials published in October 2018 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. One thing to note: The researchers did exclude the treatment of rickets and osteomalacia from their conclusions about the benefits of supplementation.