Health Hack #6 � The Benefits of the Sunshine Vitamin � Vitamin D

Think about vitamin D when you�re catching up on summer rays. Vitamin D is a�fat-soluble vitamin�in a family of compounds that includes vitamins D-1, D-2, and D-3. It can affect as many as 2,000 genes in your body.

Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it�s directly exposed to sunlight. Besides getting vitamin D through sunlight, you can also get it through certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood.

Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of�calcium�and�phosphorus, and facilitating normal�immune system�function. Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.

If your body doesn�t get enough vitamin D, you�re at risk of developing bone abnormalities such as soft bones (osteomalacia) or fragile bones (osteoporosis).

1. Vitamin D fights disease

In addition to its primary benefits, research suggests that vitamin D may also play a role in:

• reducing your risk of�multiple sclerosis, according to a 2006 study published in the�Journal of the American Medical Association
• decreasing your chance of developing�heart disease, according to 2008 findings published in�Circulation
• helping to reduce your likelihood of developing�the flu, according to 2010 research published in the�American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

2. Vitamin D reduces depression

Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and warding off�depression. In one�study, scientists found that people with depression who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in their symptoms.

3. Vitamin D boosts weight loss

Consider adding vitamin D supplements to your diet if you�re trying to�lose weight�or prevent heart disease.

In one�study, people who took a daily vitamin D supplement didn�t lose a significant amount of weight, but were able to improve their heart disease risk markers.

In another�study, people taking a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement were able to lose more weight than subjects taking a placebo supplement. The scientists said the extra calcium and vitamin D had an appetite-suppressing effect.

 

Beware of �D-ficiency�

Many lifestyle and environmental factors can affect your ability to get sufficient amounts of vitamin D

through the sun alone. These factors include:

• being in an area with high pollution
• using sunscreen
• spending more time indoors
• living in big cities where buildings block sunlight
• having darker skin

These factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in an increasing number of people. That�s why it�s important to get some of your vitamin D from sources besides sunlight.

The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency in adults include:

• tiredness,�aches and pains, and�a general sense of not feeling well
• severe�boneor�muscle pain�or weakness that may cause difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from the floor or a low chair, or cause you to walk with a waddling gait
• stress fractures, especially in your legs, pelvis, and hips

Doctors can diagnose a�vitamin D deficiency�by performing a simple blood test.

If you�re diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency, your doctor will likely recommend you take daily vitamin D supplements. If you have a severe deficiency, they may instead recommend high-dose vitamin D tablets or liquids. You should also make sure to get vitamin D through sunlight and the foods you eat.

Food sources of vitamin D

Few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Because of this, some foods are fortified. This means that vitamin D has been added. Foods that contain vitamin D include:

• salmon
• sardines
• egg yolk
• shrimp
• milk (fortified)
• cereal (fortified)
• yogurt (fortified)
• orange juice (fortified)

It can be hard to get enough vitamin D each day through sun exposure and food alone, so taking vitamin D supplements can help.

How much do you need?

There has been some controversy over the amount of vitamin D needed for healthy functioning. Recent research indicates that you need more vitamin D than was once thought. Normal blood serum levels range from 50 to 100 micrograms per deciliter. Depending on your blood level, you may need more vitamin D.

The�Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences�reports new recommendations based on international units (IUs) per day. IUs are a standard type of measurement for drugs and vitamins. IUs help experts determine recommended dose, toxicity, and deficiency levels for each person.

One IU is not the same for each type of vitamin. An IU is determined by how much of a substance produces an effect in your body. The recommended IUs for vitamin D are:

• children and teens: 600 IU
• adults up to age 70: 600 IU
• adults over age 70: 800 IU
• pregnant or breastfeeding women: 600 IU

 

So, remember to get outdoors and soak up that Vitamin D! Until next time….