Vitamin D is commonly known as the sunshine vitamin. When your body is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D; however, it is also contained in some foods and supplements.
Vitamin D is very important for your body. It maintains healthy teeth and bones and also helps fight diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. It supports the immune system, nervous system, and the brain. The vitamin also helps in the improvement of lungs and cardiovascular health.
Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin but a pro-hormone. Since vitamins cannot be produced by the body itself, vitamin D is not categorized as one. Proper skin exposure to the sun for 10 minutes thrice a week is considered enough to produce the required amount of vitamin D in the body, but it breaks down very quickly.
Research shows that a lot of people suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Hence it is recommended that you should take vitamin D supplements. Here are 8 benefits of taking vitamin D supplements daily:
1. Healthy Bones
Vitamin D supplements regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. Both of these elements are very important for healthy bones. Vitamin D is required to absorb calcium in the intestines otherwise it might excrete via the kidneys.
The deficiency of vitamin D in children leads to rickets; a disease in which bones are softened and legs appear to be severely bowed.
Vitamin D deficiency in adults is known as osteoporosis. This is the most common bone disease amongst older men and women.
2. Reduces the risk of influenza
Vitamin D supplements are well known to reduce the risk of flu. Doctors recommend a 1,200 IU dose of vitamin D every day for four months during winters. According to a survey, it has known to reduce the risk by 40 percent.
3. Reduces the risk of diabetes
Lack of vitamin D in the body can cause type 2 diabetes in people by negatively affecting glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. According to a study, infants who were given 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily had quite a lower risk of having type 1 diabetes by the age of 32. Hence, vitamin D supplements benefit the body by maintaining glucose levels in the blood.
4. Healthy Infants
Studies have shown that children who received 2,000 IU of vitamin D supplements daily had a lower arterial wall stiffness after 16 weeks than children who received only 400 IU daily. Infants with low vitamin D levels are at a greater chance of being affected by atopic diseases and allergic diseases like asthma, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. Vitamin D supplements act as a support for people affected by asthma.
5. Healthy Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant should take vitamin D supplements regularly. The deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia which can result in a cesarean section. Also, a lack of vitamin D in pregnant women is directly linked to gestational diabetes mellitus and even bacterial vaginosis. On the contrary, high vitamin D levels in pregnant women can cause food allergies in the children during the first two years.
6. Can Help Prevent Cancer and other diseases
Vitamin D is very important for maintaining the growth of cells and interaction between them. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplements can reduce the chance of cancer spreading in the body by slowing down the development of new blood vessels and increasing cancer cell death. Vitamin D affects above 200 genes which might get harmed due to lack of vitamin D.
Heart diseases are very common nowadays. People who have a family history of heart disease should take enough vitamin D to help prevent risk. Moreover, vitamin D supplements can also reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis in most people.
7. Reduces Depression
Vitamin D has a significant role in mood regulation and reducing depression. People suffering from depression should take a sufficient amount of vitamin D daily in order to suppress the symptoms. Lack of vitamin D is more common in people experiencing anxiety issues.
8. Enhances weight loss
If you are trying to lose weight or prevent heart disease, you should start taking vitamin D supplements regularly. People taking vitamin D and calcium supplements daily are able to lose weight far more quickly than people who do not. More calcium and vitamin in the diet suppresses hunger.
There are very few natural sources of vitamin D. Hence it is suggested that you should take vitamin D supplements regularly to improve our health and reduce the risk of many diseases.
