Nearly every tissue and cell type needs vitamin D for optimal health. While vitamin D is most commonly associated with keeping bones healthy, it also has been shown to protect against cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. It’s important to get your vitamin D levels checked through blood testing so you can maintain good health.
Vitamin D was once only known as the “bone vitamin,” but now we know that it is much more than that. Scientists, especially Michael Holick, MD, have done a lot of research on vitamin D, and we now know that it plays a role in many different parts of the body. This discovery resulted in the need for much higher doses for optimal functioning. This new discovery has changed our understanding of vitamin D’s role in the body.
You are at risk of developing a range of disorders, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, weak bones, and diabetes, if your body is not at optimal levels.
Even if your blood sugar is normal today, a vitamin D deficiency makes it much more likely that you will develop insulin resistance or type II diabetes in the future.
Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is a global epidemic. Zinc and vitamin D levels are estimated to be inadequate in 1 billion people. Most Americans are not getting enough vitamin D to keep all their tissues working properly.
The results of this deficiency are catastrophic. Research has now suggested that a lack of vitamin D can lead to a greater chance of developing a range of illnesses that affect every area of the body. Vitamin D deficiency is linked with an increased risk of non-Alzheimer’s dementia, nearly 20 times greater than normal.
Many physicians do not consider checking for vitamin D levels to be standard care, but this article makes it clear that doing so is one of the best things you can do for your health. It is easy, cheap, and protective against dangerous diseases to get the right amount of vitamin D.
Why Vitamin D is so Vital
Most people need to get vitamin D from their diet or supplements since the body can’t make enough on its own.
Once vitamin D has been ingested through food or produced in the skin, it is converted to its active form, called 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, or vitamin D3, by the liver and kidneys.
This means that every tissue in your body needs vitamin D to function properly. Vitamin D is considered a hormone because it has specific receptors. CBD interacts with receptors all over the body, causing various different effects.
It is becoming increasingly clear that larger doses of vitamin D are necessary to support its other functions in tissues such as heart muscle, brain cells, and fat tissue, among others. Vitamin D also regulates genes that are responsible for cell growth, development, immune function, and metabolism.
New research has revealed that a lack of vitamin D can lead to a number of serious chronic health problems, such as type II diabetes, cancer, infections, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurological illnesses.
The Global Vitamin D Deficiency
Most of us are not getting enough vitamin D, which is essential for optimal body function. Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem, affecting an estimated 1 billion people, which is about 7% of the world’s population.
According to medical standards, there are three levels of vitamin D status: sufficient, insufficient, and deficient.
- People who are considered vitamin D “sufficient” have blood levels of at least 30 ng/mL. However, optimal vitamin D status is achieved with a minimum of 50 ng/mL.
- Those considered “insufficient” (meaning their bodies aren’t at optimal vitamin D capacity) have levels between 21 and 29 ng/mL.
- And those who are “deficient” are defined as having levels at or below 20 ng/mL.
25% of Americans are not getting enough sleep, and 39% are getting too little sleep. This means that 64% of Americans are lacking in vitamin D, which is essential for keeping all tissues in the body functioning properly. It is no surprise that we have so many chronic diseases.
What are the benefits of taking vitamin D?
Reducing the risk of osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease. Some evidence suggests that vitamin D may be linked to reduced risks for osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease.
1. Vitamin D Supports Cardiovascular Health
A deficiency in Vitamin D is common among people who have cardiovascular disease; nearly all people with heart failure have reduced levels. It is now recognized that heart disease and stroke can be predicted by an independent predictor.
Vitamin D has been found to lower the risk of heart attacks in both men and women. One study published this year found that men in the top third of the population had a 44% lower risk, and women in the top third had a 68% lower risk compared with those in the lowest third.
If you have a low vitamin D level, you are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease or have a stroke. The risk of having a heart attack is more than doubled for people who have vitamin D deficiency.
If someone is deficient in vitamin D, their risk of having heart disease increases dramatically.
The reason for this is that the heart muscle, blood vessels, and other parts of the circulatory system have a lot of vitamin D receptors. This means that they need vitamin D for them to work properly.
If animals are bred without the receptor for vitamin D, they will develop cardiovascular disease at an earlier age and have enlarged, dysfunctional hearts. The effects are thought to be caused by vitamin D’s ability to improve protective signaling pathways and prevent harmful ones. Furthermore, vitamin D is necessary to stop the overproduction of collagen and other proteins that make heart muscle and artery walls rigid, reducing blood flow and increasing blood pressure.
3. Strengthens Bones
Vitamin D3 is important for managing and absorbing calcium, and it is also essential for bones and teeth.
Calcium is the most common mineral in the body. Most of this element is found in bones and teeth. You should consume enough calcium to keep your bones and teeth healthy. If you don’t consume enough calcium, it can lead to joint pain and early-onset osteoarthritis, as well as tooth loss.
4. Strengthens the Immune System
Vitamin D is extremely important for supporting the immune system and improving its function. It helps the body produce T-cells, which are important for fighting off viral infections like the common cold, influenza, and other illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
5. Might Prevent Certain Types of Cancer
Vitamin D3 may help lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that people who are more exposed to the sun have a lower risk of some malignancies.
Vitamin D has been shown to potentially prevent cancer in numerous studies. Vitamin D has been shown to help with the repair and regeneration of cells, which might help to slow the growth of cancerous tumors. Also, vitamin D can stimulate the death of cells that have been damaged by cancer and decrease blood vessel formation in tumors.
6. Improve Brain Function
Vitamin D has been found to play a role in a variety of bodily processes, including the brain’s function. Vitamin D receptors are present throughout the brain and spinal cord. Vitamin D plays an important role in promoting nerve growth and repair and in stimulating and inhibiting neurotransmitter synthesis.
It is thought that vitamin D benefits the brain by lowering inflammation and preserving neurons. Vitamin D has also been shown to protect the cells that send and receive messages in the nervous system in animal studies, which may help to explain why it promotes alertness and quick reaction time.
A different study looked at the connection between how much Vitamin D people had and how well they did on mental tests. The research showed that those with lower levels of Vitamin D did not do as well as those who had enough of the vitamin, suggesting that it helps with attention.
7. Boosts Your Mood
The reduced amount of sunlight exposure during the winter and darker months is beneficial for Vitamin D. A number of studies have found that people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) symptoms have low levels of Vitamin D3, which is likely due to insufficient exposure to sunlight.
SAD is a mood disorder that causes people to feel sad most of the time. A decrease in Vitamin D3 levels has been linked to lower levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that controls emotions. By taking a Vitamin D3 supplement or increasing your sun exposure, you may improve your mood.
8. Aids in Weight Loss
Did you know that Vitamin D has other benefits? If you are trying to lose weight and have not seen the desired results, you may want to increase your vitamin D3 intake through diet and sunlight.
Research indicates that combining a healthy lifestyle with either a Vitamin D3 supplement, increased intake of foods high in the vitamin, or more sun exposure can lead to weight loss. Because Vitamin D3 can assist reduce body fat levels.
According to studies, people who don’t have enough Vitamin D are more likely to become overweight and develop obesity-related diseases. You will need to do more than just take a pill, eat foods rich in Vitamin D, and spend more time in the sun. You will also need to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
9. Lower the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
A lack of Vitamin D has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis – an chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder.
The immune system mistakes the linings of the joints for foreign materials, resulting in inflammation and stiffness.
If you don’t have enough Vitamin D, you might get rheumatoid arthritis. That’s because Vitamin D is necessary for the immune system to work right. Increasing your Vitamin D intake could improve your autoimmune disease symptoms and make them less frequent.
10. Lowers the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
If you have diabetes in your family, you might want to take more Vitamin D. Deficiency in Vitamin D has been linked with both insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in recent studies. You can lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by improving your body’s insulin sensitivity.
The cells in the pancreas that produce insulin have enzymes that are important in determining glucose tolerance and resistance to insulin.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause the pancreas to secrete less insulin, which can lead to insulin resistance and changes in the way the body responds to sugar. Given these findings, you should consult with your doctor to see if taking extra Vitamin D improves your overall health.
Should everyone be taking vitamin D3?
Vitamin D has numerous benefits and is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies can produce it when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and teeth, and it allows our bodies to absorb calcium.
The benefits of turmeric include supporting the immune system and potentially preventing certain chronic diseases such as cancer.
There are a few different ways that you can get your daily dose of vitamin D, including exposure to sunlight, certain foods, and supplements. Vitamin D deficiencies are not uncommon, especially during the winter months when there is less sun exposure.
You may be deficient in vitamin D if you think so. Talk to your doctor about getting a blood test. You might want to think about taking a supplement, especially if you don’t get out in the sun much.
How do you know you are vitamin D deficiency?
There are a few ways to tell if you are lacking in vitamin D. The most common way to test your blood is by going to the doctor. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be deficient in vitamins: fatigue, bone pain, and muscle weakness.
If you think you might have a deficiency, it is important to talk to your doctor to get a blood test. If you have vitamin D deficiency, you can take supplements to treat it. So it’s important to get a diagnosis and treatment early.
Final Thoughts
Although vitamin D has many benefits, it is important to consume the recommended daily amount. Taking either too much or too little vitamin D can have negative consequences. Please discuss with your physician if you believe you should take a supplement. Make sure to spend time outdoors to get your daily dose of vitamin D!
There are many health benefits to Vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient. If you are not getting enough vitamin D, it is advised that you speak to your doctor about taking a supplement. Making sure you’re getting enough vitamin D can improve your health and make you feel better overall.
