Vitamin D – the Nutrient and Hormone We Need
Vitamin D is both a nutrient and hormone that is important for good health. It has many roles, including helping to maintain strong bones, muscles, and teeth. Vitamin D – the nutrient that is being referred to in its nicotinamide coenzyme form as vitamin D3 and its cholesterol salt form as vitamin D2 — has long been recognized for its importance to health. In recent years, it has received much attention due to the tremendous amount of research linking vitamin D with chronic disease prevention, enhancement of athletic performance, and correction of various kinds of metabolic dysfunction.
Description Of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone that is important for strong bones and muscles. It regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are vital for healthy teeth, bones, and muscles. Vitamin D helps to maintain normal blood pressure, heart function, and muscle tone. Vitamin D occurs naturally in only a few foods but can be produced by the body when exposed to sunlight on the skin or consumed as a supplement. The form of vitamin D most commonly found in supplements is called cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Other forms of vitamin D include ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D).
Vitamin D and Health:
As you may know, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for bone health and the normal absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food. It's also important for maintaining the health of the immune system, nervous system, heart, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas.
But did you know that it's also crucial to your metabolism? That's right—vitamin D helps regulate appetite by increasing levels of protein-regulating hormones in your body called leptin. In addition to regulating appetite and weight loss efforts through leptin control, new research suggests that adequate amounts of vitamin D may lead to lower blood pressure levels in some individuals who are at risk for hypertension!
Food Rich List:
Vitamin D is found in fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods and can also be made in the body with exposure to sunlight. Here are some good food sources of vitamin D:
Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, Swordfish and mackerel
Fortified breakfast cereals (check for the label “fortified with vitamin D”)
Eggs from hens fed on vitamin D-rich feed
Margarine (look for “vitamin D3″)
Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency:
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for many functions in the body, including bone health and immune function. A lack of vitamin D can lead to a number of health problems, including osteoporosis, rickets, and an increased risk of infections. Vitamin D deficiency is a serious issue and one that can have a huge impact on your health. Signs of vitamin D deficiency include:
Weakness
Muscle pain
Bone pain
Fatigue
Dizziness or feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint
Depression or irritability (or both!)
Other signs may include:
Constipation
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels in your blood
Osteoporosis (weak bones)
Certain cancers
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is we can’t live without Vitamin D. It’s important that we get enough of this nutrient so our bodies can function properly and stay healthy as we age.
