The Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a nutrient produced by skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiencies usually come from too little exposure to sunlight, and can result in skin problems, lowered immunity, fatigue and depression.
Vitamin D in your body is absolutely essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous and for their proper use in keeping bones and teeth strong. The presence of vitamin D in the system keeps calcium from being deposited where it doesn’t belong. Without vitamin D, your bones and teeth can really suffer.
When it comes to your immune system, the presence of vitamin D can help your body fight off colds and other diseases. It prevents the development of autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. It even fights off cancer.
Vitamin D’s cancer fighting property comes from its ability to encourage cell differentiation and slow down the rate at which cells multiply. This makes cell mutation less likely to occur or continue. In fact, cancer cells are characterized by a lack of differentiation and rapid multiplication.
Inflammation is a cause and the beginning of many diseases and allergies. Muscular pain is also a common complaint and may have some roots in inflamation of different body organs. Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory agent, and a very potent one at that. This is another way in which Vitamin D protects your body and prevents disease.
Vitamin D also plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure. The pancreas needs vitamin D in order to create insulin, which regulates blood sugar, and vitamin D protects the body from both insulin resistance and hypoglycemia, both of which cause diabetes. Adequate levels of vitamin D also reduce hypertension which can lead to high blood pressure and greater stress.
Vitamin D is available from very few natural food sources. It is often supplied as a supplement in foods like orange juice and milk. The best natural sources are the flesh of salmon, tuna, and mackeral, or in fish liver oils. Most of your body’s vitamin D production comes from ultra violet sunlight, so making sure you spend adequate time, but not too much time, in sunlight or in full spectrum light is the best way to increase your vitamin D. Try to get at least 15 minutes of direct sunlight on your bare skin each day. A natural detox diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is the best way to compliment your body’s natural processes. Whole, natural foods allow your body to work as nature intended and will facilitate proper vitamin D production in the body.
Vitamin D supplements from lanolin are the best. Supplements are widely available and cheap, however, your body still needs sunlight to absorb and process vitamin D, so a supplement is no replacement for adequate sunlight.
