The Importance of Vitamin D

Growing up, we were all told to eat our vegetables to get the right vitamins and minerals in our diets. Vitamin D is a component that you receive from both food and the sun, though you can also find it in oral supplements. Much like the other essential nutrients that your body needs, vitamin D helps your body to absorb other nutrients such as magnesium and zinc. Knowing the importance of vitamin D will help you to get the most out of your diet.

The-Importance-of-Vitamin-D

Where is Vitamin D Found?

The majority of vitamin D is found in the rays that your skin captures from the sun, though it is important to note that overexposure to UV rays can lead to medical conditions such as cancer and heat stroke. It is important that you always wear sunscreen when spending time outdoors to regulate the amount of UV rays that are absorbed by your tissues. Another incredibly common source for vitamin D is in fish. The meat that you get from fish is packed with this essential vitamin as well as other nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids.

Why Do I Need Vitamin D?

The main reason as to why you need to get enough vitamin D is because it promotes the proper absorption of other nutrients that you receive throughout the day. Without vitamin D vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphate, calcium, and zinc would just travel through your body. Without these components you could be at risk for developing rickets and osteomalacia, among other illnesses. There has been a significant amount of research that states vitamin D deficiencies are also found in patients with cardiac disease, the flu, and multiple sclerosis.

Who is At Risk for a Vitamin D Deficiency?

There has been some research into different lifestyle choices that could result in an individual having too little vitamin D. The majority of people who are at risk for a deficiency are those who spend a lot of time indoors, such as people who work in offices without windows. If you live in an area that is particularly prone to smog and other poor environmental conditions, you may also be at risk for developing a vitamin D deficiency. If you are concerned, there are arrays of oral supplements that you can buy from your local pharmacy to help get healthy levels of the vitamin in your system.