Health and Nutrition: The Benefits of Vitamin D | What Is It Good For?

Elevate Christian Network :: Health and Wellness

Health Benefits of Vitamin D: Unlike other vitamins that you can only get through your diet, vitamin D can also be made by your body when your skin is exposed to the sun. For this reason, vitamin D is often called “the sunshine vitamin.” The limited availability of vitamin D in the human diet, combined with most people’s insufficient sun exposure, may explain why up to 41.6% of the US population has deficient blood levels.

Important Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Interestingly, having adequate blood levels of this vitamin can provide many important health benefits.  Vitamin D helps increase the absorption of minerals that are important for bone health. Higher levels may also reduce the risk of fractures, limit bone loss and improve recovery from fractures.

Experts believe that vitamin D may protect against type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance, increasing insulin sensitivity and enhancing the function of the cells responsible for producing insulin.  Adequate vitamin D levels may help reduce the risk of developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin D Could Improve Heart Health

Vitamin D may help improve the health of your heart and reduce the likelihood of heart attacks. although taking vitamin D supplements may be beneficial for other reasons, increasing your levels through lifestyle choices still seems to be the best strategy against heart disease.

In one study, men with blood levels below 15 ng/ml (37 nmol/l) were twice as likely to get a heart attack as those with levels of 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/l) or higher . In another study, the likelihood of developing heart disease was 153% higher for people with blood vitamin D levels below 15 ng/ml (37 nmol/l).

Read the full story…. authoritynutrition.com

 

Authority Nutrition: 5 Common Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

According to studies, over 40% of adults in the US have vitamin D deficiency. It is estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide are deficient. In this video, Authority Nutrition looks at the 5 biggest symptoms linked with low vitamin D levels.

 

More resources:

Why Are Americans Drinking Less Cow’s Milk? Its Appeal Has Curdled – NPR Groups that represented milk interests embraced the research and infused their advertisements with glowing claims about milk’s health benefits. By the mid-20th century, … option with a health halo. Juice makers offer calcium and Vitamin D-fortified …

 

 

How much vitamin D do I need? – The Seattle Times However, 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D from a supplement is generally safe, should help people achieve an adequate blood level of vitamin D, and may have additional health benefits. While there are no guidelines for checking your vitamin D …

 

 

Mix vitamin D and exercise to make your heart healthier – Men’s Fitness Men’s FitnessShe also noted that there’s no need to have vitamin D levels in your blood over 20 nanograms per milliliter. The best way to up your level isn’t by taking a supplement—just get plenty of sun (a few minutes a day not in winter), eat a healthy diet with …

 

 

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