Vitamins D is a fat-soluble seco-sterol hormone precursor
that is responsible for sustaining optimal levels of
calcium and phosphorus in our blood stream. To some extent,
Vitamin D is manufactured by our skin though exposure to
sunlight. The best time for sunlight exposure is during
the spring and fall seasons.. Winter sunlight is too weak
for the production of Vitamin D. Many of us do not get
enough exposure to sunlight during the year. We have been
convinced that the sun is not good for our skin, so when we
are exposed to sun we have come to use clothing and sun
screen to "protect" ourselves from the sun. Most of us
spend most of our time indoors. These factors have resulted
in making Vitamin D deficiency a common if not major health
problem. It has also been found that older people and many
younger women, especially African-American women, and those
who live in Northern climates with less time exposure to
sunlight are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D is essential in reducing bone fractures and
increasing bone strength and density. It has been found
that higher quantities of calcium alone in our diets does
not reduce the risk of bone fracture or significantly
increase bone density and strength. The reason for this is
that calcium needs to be absorbed in order to be
beneficial. Vitamin D is essential in increasing the
absorption of calcium. This is especially important for
women in producing and maintaining healthy, strong bone
structure and prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Children need Vitamin D to help their bones mineralize
during rapid bone growth. Of course, we all know the
importance of the absorption of calcium enhanced by Vitamin
D for the development and maintenance of oral bone and
tooth health. Vitamin D may very well help us keep our
teeth.
In the Northern part of our world and during the winter
many people suffer from SAD i.e. seasonal affective
disorder. SAD is a form of depression most probably due to
reduced exposure to sunlight resulting in less production
of Vitamin D. It has been found that supplemental intake of
Vitamin D is superior to light therapy in reducing the
condition of SAD. It has also been found that blood
pressure is elevated during the winter and in people with
less exposure to sunlight. Research has shown that people
with little exposure to sunlight, who add Vitamin D
supplementation to their diets, experience lowering of high
blood pressure and lower heart rate. The absorption of
calcium though the use of sufficient amounts of Vitamin D
has been found to prevent and reduce hypertension..
Vitamin D has been found to provide a critical function in
many metabolic processes, such as our cell growth, our
immune system, and our cardiovascular health. Low levels
i.e. deficiency of Vitamin D has been found to be a factor
in congestive heart failure for many older people.
Extensive research is being conducted to determine the
effect of Vitamin D deficiency in the growth of certain
cancers. The lack of absorption of calcium because of
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to seizures. Because
of Vitamin D's effect on the maintenance of healthy levels
of calcium and phosphorus in the blood stream and
absorption of calcium and phosphorus, Vitamin D has been
shown to be helpful in treating kidney failure.
Vitamin D has been shown to increase muscles strength,
especially large muscle e.g thighs, calves, arms, and
diaphragm. Vitamin D has also been found to reduce muscle
pain by helping repair the damage of muscle strain. This is
especially important as we age.
More and more evidence is being found confirming the vital
importance of Vitamin D for our general health as well as
for our bone health. Unfortunately, relying on exposure to
sunlight for our skin to produce Vitamin D, has it's
limitations such as winter, geographic location, indoor
lifestyle, etc. It would be wise for us to insure that we
are receiving enough Vitamin D by adding a Vitamin D
supplement to our diets in single form or through multiple
vitamin formulas containing healthy amounts of Vitamin D.
----------------------------------------------------
Jenny has more than twenty years experience with all
natural health care products. More information about the
benefits of Vitamin D and other natural vitamin supplements
is available at =>
http://www.sweetmedicineessentials.com/natural-vitamins-c-11
.html
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