The Importance of vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin (which is actually a hormone) and can be found in oily fish (tuna, salmon, sardines, herring), eggs, liver and cod liver oil. However, most of our vitamin D is synthesised by the body after exposure to UV radiation from the sun.
Vitamin D works on receptors all over the body which means it can affect many different body systems. Vitamin D levels can affect the bones, the muscles, the intestines, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, the pancreas and the brain.
Vitamin D is important for:
Bone health - It helps the body to absorb Calcium and build strong bones. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
Immunity - Vitamin D regulates inflammation and the immune system and adequate levels can reduce the risk of viral infections especially in the respiratory tract.
Cardiovascular system - Low vitamin D levels have been associated with a higher risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Autoimmune diseases - Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune Thyroid disease.
Adequate Vitamin D levels are extremely important at this time of year when there is less sunshine and we are exposed to many viral infections.
Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked recently?
References:
Chang, S. & Lee, H. (2019). Vitamin D and health - The missing vitamin in humans. Pediatrics and Neonatology, 60(3), 237-244. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187595721830651X
Grant, W. B., Lahore, H., McDonnell, S. L., Baggerly, C. A., French, C. B., Aliano, J. L., & Bhattoa, H. P. (2020). Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths. Nutrients, 12(4), 988. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12040988
Nair, R. & Maseeh, A. (2012). Vitamin D: The “sunshine” vitamin. Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, 3(2), 118-126. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-500X.95506