Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin

The human body creates vitamin D when exposed to the sun. Vitamin D can also be increased by eating particular foods or taking supplements. This vitamin is necessary for a variety of reasons, including bone and tooth health. It may also aid in the prevention of a variety of illnesses and diseases, including type 1 diabetes. Vitamin D is a prohormone, or a precursor to a hormone, rather than a vitamin, despite its name. Vitamins are nutrients that the body cannot make on its own and must be received through food. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is a nutrient that the body can make on its own.

The Benefits of Vitamin D

Keeping Bones Healthy

This vitamin aids in calcium control and phosphorus level maintenance in the bloodstream. These minerals are necessary for maintaining bone health. This vitamin is needed to activate and absorb calcium in the intestines, as well as to reclaim calcium that would otherwise be expelled by the kidneys. Low levels of this vitamin in children can cause rickets, a condition in which the bones deteriorate and the child appears badly bowlegged. In adults, osteomalacia, often known as bone softening, is a sign of vitamin D deficiency.

Combats Diseases

Vitamin D may also play a role in the prevention of diseases, according to some research. In a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association observational and clinical evidence suggested that high amounts of this vitamin, a potent immunomodulator, may reduce the incidence of multiple sclerosis. Another study published in Circulation reveals that this vitamin may help to lower the risk of heart disease. The renin-angiotensin system, glycemic management, inflammatory cytokines, direct effects on the vasculature, regulation of parathyroid hormone levels, and calcium deposition in vascular smooth muscle are all proposed processes.

Aids in Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose weight or prevent heart disease, vitamin D supplements may be beneficial. There is a large assortment of vitamin D supplements available. To choose the ideal one, talk to your doctor or a dietitian. People who took a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement lost more weight than those who took a placebo supplement in one research. The increased calcium and vitamin D, according to the researchers, had an appetite-suppressing impact. Another study found that overweight individuals who took this vitamin daily reduced their risk of heart disease.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has been related to brittle bones, as well as various malignancies and disorders. Those who obtain this vitamin sufficiently, on the other hand, may be able to avoid problems like depression, diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, neuromuscular diseases, and osteoporosis. Lack of this vitamin may cause the following symptoms:

Fatigue

You may feel exhausted, even after a good night’s rest. Many studies have discovered evidence that vitamin D deficiency can lead to exhaustion, and that raising the levels of this vitamin can help to alleviate fatigue.

Excessive Hair loss

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal changes or stress, but vitamin D insufficiency could be one of them. Hair loss has been linked to low vitamin D levels in studies, which makes sense because your hair requires vitamins and nutrients to grow long and strong. For example, in one study, a synthetic form of this vitamin administered topically for 12 weeks was found to be sufficient to aid hair regrowth in individuals.

Low Mood & Depression

Feeling down and low? Go out and get some sun & you will feel better. We hear this advice often when we are feeling blue. That’s because the “sunshine vitamin” can help you feel better, and many people say they feel happier when they spend more time outside in the sun. As a result, depression is frequently a symptom of vitamin D insufficiency. Much scientific research has shown that increased consumption of this vitamin can help with depression symptoms. When you start spending more time outside in the sun, it’s fairly typical to notice a positive change in your attitude.

The Causes of Vitamin D Insufficiency

• You may not be getting enough sunlight. Since your skin produces this vitamin Eat foods that are high in vitamin D, some grains and dairy products are fortified and it is good to read food labels when looking for vitamin sources. Some natural food like fish, fish oil and eggs are also rich in this vitamin when it is exposed to sunshine, if you are homebound, reside in northern climates, wear long robes or hijabs for religious reasons, or work in an occupation that restricts sun exposure, you may be at risk of insufficiency.
• You are not consuming enough foods that are rich in vitamins. This could be due to dietary preferences or restrictions.
• You may have the genotype that predisposes you to have lower levels of serum Vitamin D or to have a slightly higher risk for vitamin D insufficiency. Get your myPreciseDNA test kits today to help understand your vitamin D genetic portfolio.

Treating Vitamin D Deficiency

So, after getting your blood test or even your myPreciseDNA results you discover that you are deficient or at risk of having the deficiency, what can you do next? Here are some simple methods you can try to increase the levels of this vitamin:

Get out more

It is as simple as getting out and exposing yourself to more sunlight, preferably the morning sun. Although you may require more sun exposure to increase your vitamin D levels, this does not mean you should start sunbathing all day. Often, all you need is 15 minutes of sun exposure every day. Because UVB rays help your body create this vitamin, some people arrange 15-minute tanning bed sessions or use natural sunlight to boost their vitamin D levels. Sun exposure can be dangerous, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer, you can also find out if you are at risk by doing the myPreciseDNA test. You can always look for other ways if you are at risk.

Vitamin supplements

You can get this from pharmacies and online stores. Always speak to your physician before starting on any supplement.

Consuming foods that are rich in Vitamin D

Eat foods that are high in vitamin D, some grains and dairy products are fortified and it is good to read food labels when looking for vitamin sources. Some natural food like fish, fish oil and eggs are also rich in this vitamin. Learn more about how our DNA test can help you. It’s considered the most advanced DNA test in Malaysia that we can provide, so we’d like to offer you our premium DNA test. You can take advantage of this offer and reap the benefits of getting a DNA test.