Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids, responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. It is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make.
The biggest dietary sources of vitamin D are fortified foods and vitamin supplements. Good sources include dairy products and breakfast cereals (both of which are fortified with vitamin D), cod liver oil and fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.
Two forms of vitamin D are used in supplements: vitamin D2 (“ergocalciferol,” or pre-vitamin D) and vitamin D3 (“cholecalciferol”). Vitamin D3 is chemically indistinguishable from the form of vitamin D produced in the body.
As body canmanufacture vitamin D from cholesterol, with the help of sunlight, it is also known as, “the sunshine vitamin”.
Recently, research also suggests that vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.
Health Benefits
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It helps in increasing bone strength and muscle mass. The vitamin D with calcium may prevent hip fractures in case of osteoporosis.
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It has the power to lower tendency to be affected by cancer.
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It will improve cardio vascular diseases and deformities.
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It improves immunity, and prevents infections. It fights against viral infections. It will reduce asthma and other allergic diseases.
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It helps in reducing gestational diabetes.
Vitamin D deficiency leads to
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Bone and muscle pain
- Rickets (soft, weakened bones) in children
- Osteopenia (weak, fragile bones) in older adults
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Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes (type1 and type 2)
- Various types of cancers (particularly colon cancer)
- Heart disease
- Mental health conditions (including schizophrenia)
- Worse outcomes in stroke
- Altered immunity and other autoimmune diseases.
Therapeutic Effects
- Helps to increase bone strength and density
- Increases Muscle mass
- Improves immunity
- Useful in Diabetes
- Prevents cancer and heart diseases
Vitamins
Understand how the many different vitamins are the big players of the human body.
Amino Acids
These are the building blocks of the proteins that power every essential machinery in the human body.
Others
Browse about various other important topics.