Does Vitamin D Make You Stronger?

Introduction

Our body produces Vitamin D as a response to sun exposure and through certain food items or supplements. You probably know that Vitamin D is crucial for bones because it is required for calcium and phosphorus absorption. Your body may show some signs following underlying Vitamin D deficiency, such as fragile bones, fatigue, etc.

Are You Vitamin D Deficient?

Here are some signs and symptoms in adults:

• Loss of bone density leads to fractures, bone pain, muscle pain, etc.
• Fatigue, tiredness
• Low immunity as you may get easily infected
• Depressed mood
• Hair fall

Though these are vague symptoms, you have to consult a physician, and he/she will verify this deficiency by prescribing a blood test and a few X-rays.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with cardiovascular risk that can also affect sexual function; healthy levels of vitamin D may mitigate this risk and, in turn, benefit sexual health, improving vitamin D levels might help boost testosterone in the body.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D.  in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

What Are the Sources of Vitamin D?

The major and natural source of Vitamin D is sun exposure, but that can be difficult depending on the season, time of day, and other factors. Luckily, you don’t have to rely on the sun to get Vitamin D. It can be found in many food items such as:

• Fatty fish such as Salmon, Tuna
• Fish liver oils
• Beef liver
• Egg yolk

Vegetable sources of Vitamin D are:

• Cow milk
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Tofu

Fortified food sources of Vitamin D are:

• Fortified dairy and plant milk
• Fortified cereals
• Fortified orange juice

How Can You Increase Your Vitamin D Levels Naturally?

Thankfully, this vitamin is naturally produced by our skin when we are exposed to sunlight. Also, you can balance your Vitamin D level by consuming certain food items and supplements.

What If You Consume an Excess of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is extremely important for good health but we all know anything in excess is harmful. High level of   Vitamin D in the human body can cause:

• High blood levels of Vitamin D
• High blood calcium levels, which could result in nausea, constipation, abnormal heart rhythm, kidney stones, and confusion
• Bone loss
• Kidney and liver problems

Benefits of Vitamin D

The following are a few science-based benefits of Vitamin D:

1. Healthy Bones

Recurrent body pain may require Vitamin D. It is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Having healthy bones protects you from various health conditions, including rickets. Rickets is a disorder that causes weak and soft bones in children.

2. Immunity Booster

Vitamin D boosts your immunity and keeps you safe from the normal cold, flu, and various respiratory conditions. Research shows that having healthy Vitamin D levels can protect you from COVID-19 infection by boosting your immunity.

3. Mental Health

Are you feeling depressed? No worries! You may need Vitamin D to cheer up your mood. Vitamin D is a ”sunshine” vitamin that brightens your mood. Most of the people who are having anxiety disorders are known to have Vitamin D deficiency as a common symptom.

4. Vitamin D and Women’s Health

Women have a significant requirement of nutritious supplements, especially after menopause. Vitamin D has protective properties against breast cancers, heart risks, bone health, etc.

6. Pregnancy Requirements

Good news? But be aware of severe Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. Research shows that Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may lead to preeclampsia (complication during pregnancy) or pre-term delivery. If women don’t get enough Vitamin D during pregnancy, their child might develop neonatal hypocalcemia (not enough calcium in the blood) or may get rickets later in childhood.

Various studies have found that People who had a higher lean mass and muscle mass also had higher levels of active vitamin D. This suggests that active vitamin D may help to optimize muscle strength.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

8. Vitamin D in Children’s Health

Children and teens need 10 times more Vitamin D than the recommended dose. They need more Vitamin D to build stronger bones and keep them healthy.

9. Weight Loss

By adding Vitamin D in your diet, you can lose weight and also prevent diabetes. Many studies have confirmed that taking Vitamin D with calcium is successful for extra shredding. Researchers said that Vitamin D and calcium supplementation could suppress your hunger.

10. Risk of Cancers

Cancer is a deadly disease where patients may suffer from nutritious deficiencies. Lowest Vitamin D levels are associated with advanced cancers specifically in the case of blood cancer and colon cancer. Vitamin D, especially when taken with calcium, might help to prevent certain types of cancers.

11. Prevention and Control of Type 2 Diabetes

Higher levels of Vitamin D may help to increase insulin secretion in your body to control diabetes.

12. Improves Heart Health

Vitamin D helps to improve the health of your heart and reduces the risk of a heart attack. Moreover, Individuals with low Vitamin D levels are at a higher risk of developing issues related to blood pressure.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for our body to build stronger bones and to keep you healthy. Sometimes, A simple walk in the garden and a moderate amount of sunshine can help you stay healthy and fit.   While you are outside soaking up rays, your body is busy consuming vitamin D. Hence, utilize a natural source of Vitamin D to keep yourself healthy.

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