Vitamins D
Did you
know that Vitamin D in naturally found in our
body? YES! You just have to go our and have a
good sun exposure, the best Vitamin supplement,
to have it functional.
The
major biologic function of Vitamin D, a
fat soluble Vitamin, is to maintain normal
blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
This natural Vitamin promotes the body's
absorption of calcium, which is essential
for the maintenance and normal development
of healthy bones and teeth.
So by promoting
calcium absorption, Vitamin D actually
helps to form and maintain strong bones
as well.
Vitamin D also works in concert
with a number of other Vitamins and minerals,
and hormones to promote bone mineralization.
Sun
exposure is perhaps the most important
source of Vitamin D because it provides
most humans with their Vitamin D requirement. UV rays from the sunshine
trigger Vitamin D synthesis in skin.
Ten to fifteen
minutes of sun exposure at least two times per
week without sunscreen is usually sufficient to
provide adequate Vitamin D.
It is very important
for individuals with limited sun exposure to include
good sources of Vitamin D in their diet or sometimes
take Vitamin supplement.
Vitamin D is found in whole food Vitamin such
as dairy products like cheese, butter, cream,
fish, oysters, and margarine.
Fortified foods
are common sources of Vitamin D such as fortified
cereals and fortified milk.
Nutrient deficiencies are usually the result
of dietary inadequacy, impaired absorption and
utilization, increased requirement, or increased
excretion (loss).
A deficiency of Vitamin D can
occur when usual intake is below recommended levels,
when there is limited exposure to sunlight, when
the kidney cannot convert Vitamin D to its activeHormone form, or when someone cannot adequately
absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
Vitamin
D deficiency is one of the major causes of osteoporosis
in adults or rickets in children.
Excessive doses of Vitamin D, however, can result
in increased calcium absorption from the intestinal
tract. This may lead to elevated levels of calcium
in the blood.
This may then cause calcium deposition
in soft tissues such as the heart and lungs.
And
this in turn can reduce their ability to function.
Ingestion of too much Vitamin D can also cause
kidney stones, vomiting, and muscle weakness.
For many people, consuming health food Vitamin
and Vitamin D fortified foods and adequate sunlight
exposure are essential for maintaining a healthy
Vitamin D status since it can be difficult to
obtain enough Vitamin D from natural food sources.
For some people, Vitamin supplement, which can
be bought in Vitamin stores, may be needed to
meet the daily need for Vitamin D.
