Why Vitamin D is a Must for Healthy Living

Posted by HealthyPlanet on February 9th, 2017

Multivitamins can be immensely beneficial when used to meet daily nutritional requirements. Many people are not able to fulfill such needs from their diet alone. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight. However, this is nowhere near enough to meet the body’s needs. This is why the bulk of the body’s vitamin D intake must come from supplements or food. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in the family of its other correspondents that includes vitamin D-1, D-2, and D-3.

Sufficient vitamin D intake is important for the upkeep of healthy bones, the regulation and absorption of calcium, and phosphorous absorption. It also offers protection against multiple severe diseases and conditions such as cancer, type-2 diabetes, and sclerosis of multiple types.

People today are aware of the importance of maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D in their body. However, most people do not know that vitamin D is indispensable to the health, beauty, and longevity of the skin as well. Here are some of the health benefits you derive from vitamin D.

Healthy bones: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium and maintenance of phosphorous levels in the blood. Both these minerals are extremely important for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D is used by the body to absorb calcium in the intestines and to reclaim calcium that would otherwise be excreted through the kidneys. The deficiency of vitamin D can cause rickets in growing children. Rickets is a health problem characterized by a severe bow-legged appearance and is triggered by impaired mineralization and softening of the bones.

Reduced risk of diabetes: Several studies have been conducted proving that there is an inverse relationship between blood concentration of vitamin D in the body and risk of type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, insufficient vitamin D levels can have an adverse effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance. Healthy levels of vitamin D in the body also reduce the risk of diabetes.

Boosts weight loss: If you are on a mission to lose weight, adding vitamin D supplements to your diet may help you shed some extra pounds. Taking vitamin D supplements in your diet not only helps you in reducing weight but also improves your heart disease risk markers. It is also claimed by several studies that vitamin D has a suppressing positive effect on the appetite.

Prevents cancer: Vitamin D plays an important role in fighting several chronic diseases including cancer. Such diseases range in severity, and many of them are deadly. Vitamin D is crucial for regulating cellular growth and intracellular communication. Past studies have suggested that Calcitriol, a hormonally active form of vitamin D can reduce cancer progression by slowing the growth and development of new blood vessels in affected parts of the body.

About the Author:
At Healthy Planet, our goal is to make the world Healthier and Greener one day at a time. From vitamins, supplements produce groceries & health foods we sell to the socially responsible manufacturers & with distributors whom we work with we put everything we do through the Healthy Planet filter. We believe that even the smallest simplest of positive actions every day can result in big changes toward a better healthier life for you &for the planet.