Benefits of Vitamin D

Of the nutrients that the body needs, Vitamin D is one of the most vital. Vitamin D deficiency is widely considered one of the causes or accelerators of some forms of cancer, cardiovascular conditions, bone weakness and a host of other illnesses previously solely associated with old age.

People who have healthy amounts of Vitamin D in the body on average have a higher life expectancy than those that do not. It is therefore important that one makes sure they have this nutrient in good supply in their body.

Vitamin D is actually a prohormone i.e. a substance that the body converts into a hormone. Vitamin D, whether produced by exposure to the sun or ingested through foods that contain it, initially exists in an inert state. The inert Vitamin D then goes through a conversion process in the liver and kidneys to form dihydroxyvitamin D which is the active form of Vitamin D.

The active Vitamin D then induces increased absorption of phosphorous and calcium nutrients through the body's alimentary canal (hence the referral to it as a hormone). This explains why Vitamin D is a major factor in overall bone strength.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D controls the absorption of calcium and helps in maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also contributes to the prevention of type 2 diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure. One of the other benefits of vitamin D is it also boosts the immune system.

Sources of Vitamin D

Exposure to the sun is probably the most well known source of Vitamin D. Food sources that contain vitamin D include milk, cereal, salmon and fish liver oils, beef liver, egg yolks and cheese. The other source of vitamin D one can use is vitamin supplements.

Whereas there may not necessarily be anything wrong with using vitamin supplements, it is always advisable for one to source their vitamins in its naturally occurring form through foods with vitamin D and only go for supplements as a last resort.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Usually, vitamin D deficiency is the result of neither eating the right foods nor getting enough sun. However, there are other causes of Vitamin D deficiency especially when you consider the fairly complex processes the vitamin D prohormone goes through from its formation to eventual activation.

For instance, vitamin D deficiency can be the result of the liver and kidneys being unable to convert the vitamin D prohormone into its active state. The end result of the deficiency is a susceptibility to a broad number of health conditions including osteoporosis, depression, prostate cancer, breast cancer and diabetes.

Vitamin D Side Effects

With all its positives, vitamin D does have its side effects when present in excess in the body. One result of vitamin D toxicity is the over absorption of calcium by the body leading to the calcification in certain soft body tissue including such sensitive organs as the lungs and heart. An overdose of vitamin D can also lead to kidney stones and renal failure.

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