Brighten Your Health with Vitamin D

The sunshine vitamin, formally known as Vitamin D, is essential in the functionality of numerous systems in the human body. Vitamin D can actually be produced several different ways within the body, including smart exposure to UV rays. However, with so many warnings against sun and tanning bed exposure, this major benefit of UV light is typically lost in the plethora of negativity. Vitamin D deficiency is actually quite common, primarily in the elderly, infants, people with naturally dark skin and those who live places with limited sun exposure, i.e. cities with tall surrounding buildings. In these cases, sustaining a proper amount of vitamin D takes a little more effort, but it’s an effort that goes a long way.

Benefits of Vitamin D:

• Supports immune and nervous systems, including the brain
• Maintains the health of teeth and bones (important for infants and young children who’s bones are still developing, as well as the elderly who’s bones are weakening)
• Cancer prevention by cell regrowth and proper cell-to-cell communication
• Reduced risk of diabetes and cancer
• Improved muscle function[1]
• Supports healthy pregnancy and fetal growth and reduces risk of preeclampsia[2]

Ways to produce/intake Vitamin D:

• Tanning beds – despite the risks associated with tanning beds, they are a great source of UVA/UVB rays when used responsibly
• Natural sunlight on bare skin 2-3 times a week for 10 minutes
• Vitamin D supplement
• Foods that contain vitamin D naturally (salmon, egg yolk, shrimp, etc.)
• Foods that are fortified with vitamin D (milk, orange juice, yogurt, cereal, etc.)
• recommended units[3] for you, as these numbers vary individual to individual.

So while the method of maintaining a sufficient amount of vitamin D is a matter of personal preference, the necessity of maintaining it isn’t as easily up for debate. Proper vitamin D levels in the body can be preventative as well as reparative. Making the required changes that increase your vitamin D supplementation can be what helps you recover from a cold faster, improve your abilities in the gym or overall live a longer, healthier life. The compliments you’ll get on your glowing skin won’t hurt either!

[1] Coker, N. (2017, February 23). Top 5 Benefits of Vitamin D. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from Body Building: https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/top-5-benefits-of-vitamin-d.html

[2] LD, M. W. (2016, April 7). Vitamin D: Health Benefits, Facts and Research. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161618.php

[3] Vitamin D. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-d/dosing/hrb-20060400