Create Strong Bones With Vitamin D
Did your mother ever tell you to make sure you drink your milk? You probably understood that this would help you to get the vitamin D you needed. Vitamin D is actually a fat-soluble vitamin which functions more like a hormone. Vitamin D is technically not a vitamin since you can get it from other sources than from foods. In fact, spending 10 – 15 minutes per day out in the sun will help you to get the vitamin D that you need. What happens is as the UV rays from the sun hit your skin, they produce a form of cholesterol which is converted into cholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D3.
Our bodies contain a parathyroid hormone (PTH) which works with vitamin D to maintain proper levels of calcium in our bodies. When the calcium level is low, the parathyroid gland is stimulated to secrete PTH that converts inactive calcium to calcitriol. This chemical serves to help our bodies with calcium levels. If our calcium level is high, then the process is reversed. When vitamin D remains low, the parathyroid gland remains too active. This causes multiple problems with our bodies function.
Scientists have recently discovered that calcitriol is produced not only our kidneys but also in the lymph glands and skin. Thus vitamin D is instrumental in fighting certain forms of cancer. Vitamin D has also been shown to regulate our immune system activity. Vitamin D’s anti inflammatory effects can be seen across a wide area including hypertension, type 1 diabetes and psorias. Vitamin D deficiency has also been shown to be associated with heart failure in humans.
Vitamin D deficiency can result in rickets in children which is a disease that attacks the bones. Adults with vitamin D deficiency may complain of bone pain or soft bones. It is really important for those who cannot get out in the sun to take a vitamin D supplement. When considering a vitamin D supplement you should make sure it is made with natural nutrients. One source of vitamin D supplements is from USANA Essentials.
You need to be careful when supplementing with vitamin D. Too much vitamin D can be toxic. Symptoms of toxicity include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure or kidney malfunction. Individuals with hyperathyroidism, overactivity of the parathyroid gland are at an increased risk of overdosing on vitamin D and should consult a physician before taking vitamin D supplements.
As you age, you should be aware that you may need additional supplements of vitamin D. Your body begins to shut down on the manufacture of vitamin D and you bones become more brittle.
High vitamin D foods can help you to prevent a growing list of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporisis, breast cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer. It also keeps your bones and teeth strong and regulates the growth and activity of your cells.
