Why is Vitamin D Supplement Important?
Health is an important concern for everyone. With so many different options out there for supplements, it can often be confusing regarding what supplements you need and which ones you don’t. We all know that vitamins are important; however, you may be surprised to find that you may not be getting enough vitamin D as 42% of Australians experience vitamin D deficiency. Let’s take a look at what vitamin D is and why taking a supplement is important for
your overall health.
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally occurring in very few foods. In fact, most people get their vitamin D primarily from sunlight. When your skin is exposed to direct sunlight, the ultraviolet B waves interact with cholesterol that is present in your skin. This begins a lengthy chain reaction that converts the ultraviolet light into vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a number of important roles for your body. One of the primary roles is the absorption of calcium, which is critical for healthy bones as well as functions such as muscle contraction. Vitamin D also plays important roles in reducing inflammation n the body and is part of processes such as cell growth and glucose metabolism. Finally, vitamin D is critical for a strong immune system.
Why Are People Vitamin D Deficient?
Since vitamin D is found in very few foods, the sun serves as almost our primary source for getting vitamin D. However, many people do not get adequate amounts of sunlight. After all, we are not outdoors as much now as in decades past. As such, vitamin D deficiency has grown significantly in the population.
Vitamin D deficiency can be a major problem. This is particularly true in children as the condition can result in children failing to sufficiently develop their skeletal system leading to bones that are brittle. In adults, deficiency can lead to osteoporosis or conditions such as rickets. People suffering from the condition are more likely to experience problems such as fractures andcan also experience weakness in their muscles.
Benefits of Taking Vitamin D Supplements
Since most people do not get enough exposure to sunlight in order to make sufficient amounts of vitamin D, a simple solution to ensure that you are getting enough is to take a vitamin D supplement. Supplements are incredibly affordable and provide your body with enough of the vitamin to ensure proper functioning. There are many benefits of taking a vitamin D supplement including the following. Greater Bone Health. As mentioned before, one of the primary purposes of vitamin D is to help your body absorb calcium. Thus, taking a supplement will help provide you with greater bone health. This is particularly important for people more likely to develop osteoporosis such as older women.
You’ll Get Sick Less Often. Vitamin D also plays important roles for the immune system. Taking a supplement helps strengthen your immune system. Studies have found that having recommended vitamin D intake reduces the likelihood of catching the flu. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease. Heart disease is one of the most common medical conditions in Australia. Research has found that having adequate amounts of vitamin D is one important factor in reducing the risk of developing this condition. Taking vitamin D supplements can help improve your heart health. Reduces Depression. If you are one of the millions of people that suffer from depression, vitamin D may have a positive effect on your mood. Research has found that vitamin D deficiency is correlated with higher levels of anxiety and depression while other studies found that people with depression saw symptoms improve when taking vitamin D supplements.
Improved Weight Loss. Research has found that people who take vitamin D supplements combined with calcium each day have greater success in losing weight. This is because the pairing of calcium and vitamin D creates the effect of an appetite suppressant, helping make it easier for people to stick to diets.
Final Thoughts
Vitamin D deficiency is a problem that often goes undiagnosed. Thus, taking vitamin D supplements is very important. Vitamin D supplements help improve the health of your bones, muscles, and immune system. They can also have positive effects on your mood and ability to lose weight. Given these reasons, it is important for everyone to take vitamin D supplements to ensure they receive the adequate amount of this vitamin.
