It has always been believed that “health is wealth” and to maintain good health one must take care of what he eats. Regular diet should consist of the essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Every nutrient offers specific advantages and so eating a balanced diet is so very essential to ward of diseases and stay fit. Among the various nutrients, Vitamin D plays an important role to keep us healthy.

Fact 1

Vitamin D is also known as “sunshine vitamin” for it can be produced naturally in the body with mild exposure to the sun and also from the food or supplements that are consumed. According to some, Vitamin D is not considered as a vitamin but as a pro-hormone because it is not an essential part of the diet and can be produced in the body. It is estimated that if sun exposure is allowed on bare skin for 5 to 10 minutes, twice or thrice a week in required amount, it gains the ability to produce sufficient vitamin D.

Fact 2

Recent studies show that although vitamin D can be produced in the body, innumerable people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. But this specific vitamin takes care of health in many ways and its deficiencies can lead to fatal diseases.

Fact 3 Vitamin D For Bone Health

Vitamin D plays an important part in regulating calcium and maintaining phosphorous levels in the blood. These two elements are very essential for maintaining healthy bones.

Fact 4 Vitamin D Reduces Risk Of Flu

Vitamin D reduces the risk of influenza especially in children. If 1,200 IU of vitamin D is given to them for 4 months during the winter, they can fight against an infection of flu by over 40%.

Fact 5 Reduces Risks Of Diabetes

Several studies have shown that Vitamin D in the body reduces the risks of diabetes to a large amount. Children who had been injected with vitamin D have lower risks of developing diabetes after 30 years of age.

Fact 6 Healthy Babies

During pregnancy, if mothers consume appropriate amount of vitamin D in foods and also supplements, babies are born healthier and there are less chances of cesarean babies.

Fact 7 Great For Cancer Patients

Vitamin D is extremely important for regulating cell growth and for cell-to-cell communication. It can reduce cancer progression by slowing down the growth and development of new blood vessels in cancerous tissues.

Fact 8 Food Sources Of Vitamin D

Sunlight is the most efficient source of Vitamin D. The richest food sources are fish oil, fatty fish and cod liver oil. These are available in fish like swordfish, herring, salmon, sardines, tuna and also in chicken, eggs, mushrooms, fortified skim milk, dairy products and breakfast cereals.

Fat 9 Types Of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is available in two forms namely vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D3 is of animal origin and are most preferred as it raises the levels of vitamin D and maintains it in blood more efficiently than vitamin D2 which is of plant origin. Vitamin D 3 supplements are also available.

Fact 10 Deficiency Of Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency leads to various types of diseases and serious problems that are difficult to handle like Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, autism, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, swine flu and multiple sclerosis. Rickets, often seen in children is due to vitamin D deficiency. The patient becomes extremely weak and the bones become soft so that the legs cannot bear the weight of the body and take a curved shape like a bow. Osteoporosis is the most common disease among elderly women including low bone density and muscular weakness problems due to Vitamin D deficiency.