Vitamin D is important for good overall health. Vitamin D is not needed in huge doses but is vital for strong bones and muscles and in ensuring that all muscles and organs stay strong.
Vitamin D also regulates insulin levels and aids the management of diabetes. It ensures the health of a strong cardiovascular system and supports lung health.
Vitamin D, oddly, is not really a Vitamin. It is actually considered a pro-hormone and this is because the body is able to produce its own Vitamin D, by using sunlight.
Vitamin D is found in liver and fish oils as well as dark leafy greens and is helpful in the absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous which we all know we need for our bones and muscles.
One should always include fish and fish oils in a diet, but as mentioned, there is another easy way to get Vitamin D – the sun.
The sun can be exceptionally damaging on one hand – skin cancer, burning – but on the other, can be exceptionally good, especially for Vitamin D. However, time in the sun must be limited and exposure to the sun needs to be clever. One can go outside, winter or summer, to get a few minutes of sunshine a day. The sun should be avoided during the hottest hours, usually 12 pm to 2 pm, and one should never look directly into the sun, but a few minutes a day, with a good sunblock, is really important. Important not just for physical health but for mental health too.
By the way, sun means sun. It does not mean a tanning bed. Tanning beds can be dangerous and have magnetic ballasts which are NOT GOOD for you. While some people say that you should use artificial light when there is no sunshine, for Vitamin D, the jury is out. We feel it is much better to get natural sunshine than to expose yourself to artificial UVB light. On those dark days, rather eat fish or dark green leafy vegetables that contain Vitamin D, or take a supplement.
Vitamin D deficiencies have become fairly commonplace worldwide and could contribute to dozens of common health problems that could otherwise be avoided. Try hard to get your daily dose of sunshine, or a supplement, to cut your risk of illness by half.
Vitamin D can cure allergies and common cold
With a little bit of sunshine the common cold could be avoided, as well as simple allergies, osteoporosis and dental issues. On top of that, think about strengthening your heart and lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s or any bacterial or viral infection.
It makes sense to have enough Vitamin D. It is also not only physical. Vitamin D does wonders for depression. That may well be linked to sunshine and the great outdoors: it’s always helpful getting outside, feeling the sun on your bare skin and breathing in fresh air.
Vitamin D can help relieve menstrual pain
Vitamin D can also help control pain. Scientific studies have been conducted where women in particular find pain relief during their menstrual periods by having sufficient Vitamin D. It can also help with headaches, muscle and body aches and neuropathic pain.
Vitamin D can affect genetic expression too and affect genes in a positive way. A lack of Vitamin D has been associated with Crohn’s disease and while this cannot be the only cause, it just makes sense to have your vitamins!
Vitamin D could reduce the risk of Breast cancer
Cancer doctors have also said that Vitamin D could reduce your risk of breast cancer and recommend women take daily Vitamin D supplements. Again, all vitamins and nutrients are needed, a healthy diet all around.
Get your Vitamin D with a bit of sunshine, healthy diet and regular exercise. You will manage all round to strengthen your immune system, look and feel better, reduce your risk of disease, maintain a shiny and healthy skin and internal and external health.
Make sure kids, teens, pregnant women, and YOU, get your Vitamin D. Stay strong, stay healthy.