What You Need to Know About Vitamin D
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
by Lynn Jaffee
Acupuncture in the Park
We've all been hearing more about Vitamin D lately. We know that all the vitamins are important, and a deficiency in any of them can cause health problems. So why all the noise about Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is actually considered both a vitamin and a hormone, because it is synthesized in our skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Health care experts know that one of the most important functions of Vitamin D is to stimulate the absorption of calcium in your body. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets and other bone-related diseases, such as osteomalacia and osteoporosis.
More recently, however, researchers are finding that a deficiency of this vitamin may be more far-reaching than calcium metabolism alone. The new thinking is that Vitamin D also affects the immune system, promotes anti-tumor activity, and performs other immune functions. Deficiencies may be related to cancer, depression, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, heart disease, hypertension, and various autoimmune diseases.
There are two forms of Vitamin D: D2, or ergocalciferol; and D3, or cholecalciferol. Either form of Vitamin D may be added to foods as a supplement, however, D3 is better absorbed by your body. Food sources of Vitamin D include cold water fish, butter, and egg yolks.
Getting enough Vitamin D has become an issue in the last few decades with the use of sunscreens, because they block its synthesis in the skin. Also at risk for deficiencies are the elderly, obese, exclusively breastfed infants, those with limited exposure to sunlight, and people with absorption problems (Crohn's or Celiac disease).
In northern climates, the sun isn't strong enough to produce Vitamin D during the winter, and supplementing can be a good option. However, during the summer, it only takes 10-15 minutes of sun exposure to make adequate amounts of Vitamin D. So get some sun, make a little D, and then put on your sunscreen.
Hi Lynn.Thank you for writing this very informative and interesting article. I am taking 1200 mg of calcium and 600 I.U.'s of Vitamin D supplement. Thanks for sharing.Good health.Best regards,Nenita
Very neutral on this - could have been written with a little more enthusiasm
HI Lynn, thanks for this well-written and informative article.Well done. Blessings! Teresa
Lynn-Thanks for sharing the information! I never knew vitamin D was a hormone as well! I will think of you next time I am out in the sun and the knowledge of this article. Thanks for sharing!
