Know your Medicines and Vitamins Back

Vitalize Through Vitamin D

Vitamins are vital supplements for human body to stay healthy. Of all the vitamins, Vitamin
D is the only vitamin that can be made by the human body from sun exposure. Vitamin
D is commonly referred to as the "sunshine vitamin” and plays a very important role in maintaining stronger bones and good health. Vitamin D is made by the body when the skin
is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When this happens, a cholesterol-like compound
is converted first to a precursor to vitamin D and after to vitamin D3, (or cholecalciferol).
Vitamin D3 is activated by enzymes from the liver and kidney. After activation, vitamin D
functions as a hormone. 

As little as 15 minutes under the sun (without sunscreen), three times a week enables your body to manufacture enough vitamin D, which can be stored in the body for several months. Although the AI is expressed in mcg, most vitamin D supplements are expressed in International Units (IU). One IU = 0.025 mcg cholecalciferol. The recommended adequate intake (AI) level for vitamin D3 is 5mcg daily for adults 31 to 50 years old. After age 50, the AI increases to 10mcg daily.

What is Vitamin D???

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble Vitamin. It is naturally present in just a few foods. But it can be
added to others thus creating fortified food. It is also available as a dietary supplement.Additionally, Vitamin D is produced when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger Vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D can be obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements.It must undergo two processes in the body for activation.

The first process occurs in the liver and converts Vitamin D to 25-hydroxyVitamin D, also known as calcidiol. The second process occurs primarily in the kidneys and forms the physiologically active 1, 25-dihydroxyVitamin D, also known as calcitriol.



Benefits of Vitamin D:

Vitamin D in promotes healthy bones, largely by promoting the absorption of calcium.

Vitamin D plays various other important roles within the body. They include modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.Many gene encoding proteins that regulate cell proliferation,differentiation, and apoptosis are modulated in
part by Vitamin D. Many cells have Vitamin D receptors,and some convert calcidiol to calcitriol. Stroke patients with low vitamin D are likely to have a slow recovery.

Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions,including type1 and type2 diabetes, hypertension,glucose intolerance.

Vitamin D is the ideal nutrition for low blood pressure, besidesVitamin D also reduces the risk of diabetes, lowerthe chances of heart attacks and rheumatoid arthritis,

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency:

If the exposure to sunlight is limited, one may be at risk of deficiency. Because the body makes vitamin D only when one’s skin is exposed to sunlight. If one need to wear long robes covering the entire body or may be due to religious reasons, or have an occupation that prevents sun exposure, one is bound to have vitamin D deficiency.


Symptoms & Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for many people, the symptoms are subtle. Yet, even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks. Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the
following:

•  Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Cognitive impairment in older adults
•  Severe asthma in children

Vitamin D Deficiency with Depression & Anxiety

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that contributes to bone health, immune function and muscle wellness. In some cases, vitamin D deficiency is linked with anxiety and/or depression -- illnesses in which intense fear, sadness and related symptoms.

A vitamin D deficiency is not known to cause psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Insufficient intake of the nutrient may trigger emotional symptoms, however, or make them worse. There may be a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms associated with other illnesses.

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