Do you feel like you have been hearing more about Vitamin D lately? With the variety of supplements available and the touted benefits, you may wonder if all the hype is true or if it’s just another health fad.
The truth is that Vitamin D is an important component in calcium homeostasis and vital for optimal skeletal health. Calcium is one of our bones’ main building blocks and needs Vitamin D to increase the efficiency of its absorption from the small intestine.
Vitamin D deficiency can be a real problem. A Vitamin D deficiency can result from minimal sun exposure, malabsorption syndrome, obesity, disorders that affect metabolism, or as a side effect of certain medications. Without enough Vitamin D, individuals risk chronic muscle pains, periosteal bone pain and a weakened immune system.
Studies have found that obese individuals (BMI of 30 or more) are at higher risk for deficiency, most likely, due to fat stores holding on to Vitamin D and not allowing it to flow into the bloodstream. If your Vitamin D is too low because of obesity, weight loss and a supplement will help to increase your levels and reduce your risk of associated problems. A simple blood test can reveal if you need more Vitamin D or not.
While the sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D, too much unprotected sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer. A supplement and adding more Vitamin D-rich foods to your diet is a better way to get your daily dose. Foods like, fortified milk and yogurt, canned tuna, salmon and beef will help. If your Vitamin D levels are found to be too low, your physician can prescribe or recommend a good daily Vitamin D supplement, as well.
Cleveland Clinic. (2015). The Role of Vitamin D in Your Health. Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org...
Vin Tangpricha, M. P. (2016). Vitamin D Deficiancy and Related Disorders. Medscape.
