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There are certain essential vitamins that are necessary for proper functioning of human body, Vitamin D is one of those. It not only plays a role of vitamin, but also act as a hormone. It is indispensablevitamin for mineral homeostasis and healthy boneformation.

Vitamin D Composition

Vitamin D is available in two forms- ergocalciferol (Vitamin Dz) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Ergocalciferol is mostly used as a food stabilizer, while cholecalciferol is a natural form of Vitamin D and is formed when your skin gets exposed to sunlight from the endogenous or dietary cholesterol present in the skin membrane.

Role of Vitamin D in Human Body

When it comes to biological function, Vitamin D works for maintaining normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorous. 1-3 Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium in humans and thus helps to form and maintain strong bones. Recent studies have revealed that people should have sufficient intake of Vitamin D to prevent the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer and many other harmful autoimmune diseases.

Several studies have reported that Vitamin D activates the immune cells present in the body to generate antibodies and thus Vitamin D plays a vital role in strengthening the immune system of the body. Other studies have revealed that Vitamin D maintains joint and muscle comfort. Other functions that it plays are upholding a healthy mood, assisting breast colon and prostate health.

Benefits of Vitamin D in Human Body

Here are a few essential benefits that Vitamin D offers to humans-

  1. Vitamin D fights with Diseases- Apart from playing a primary role in human life, Vitamin D also helps in fighting with certain diseases such as-
  • Reduced Inclinations for Multiple Sclerosis-Popular studies have revealed that low Vitamin D levels increase the risk for occurring multiple sclerosis.
  • Declining the Risk of Heart Diseases- Low Vitamin D levels can increase the chances of having heart diseases such as hypertension, heart failure and heart stroke.
  • Regulates Mood and Depression-Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating one’s mood and reducingthe risk of depression. Vitamin D supplements are found helpful in coping with negative emotions and depression in people.
  • Helpful in Weight Loss-Vitamin D supplements found helpful in reducing weight in overweighed people. An extra intake of Vitamin D and calcium has an appetite-suppressing effect and thus helps to manage weight easily.

Why Vitamin D is So Important for Huma?

Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that are essential for keeping our body healthy. A few important functions performed by this vitamin are-

  • Keeps Bones Strong-Keeping your bones strong is essential to prevent several bone-related health risks including rickets. Rickets is a disease that occurs in kids due to weak bones. The main cause of weak bones is a deficiency of Vitamin D. Vitamin is required for building bones with calcium and phosphorous. When adults have soft bones, this condition is calledosteocalcin.
  • Calcium Absorption-Vitamin D and Calcium helps in building bones and keeping them strong and healthy. Weak bones results in osteoporosis and low bonedensity creates fractures. Vitamin D when ingested orally or taken with sunshinegets converted into an active form of vitamin and supports optimum absorption of calcium available in your diet.
  • Works with Parathyroid Glands-The parathyroid glands work every minute to balance calcium available in the blood by interacting with the kidney, gut and skeleton. When there is enough calcium in the diet as well as sufficient active form of Vitamin D, dietary calcium is actively absorbed and is used throughout the body efficiently. When enough calcium is lacking in your diet or vitamin D is low, the parathyroid glands start deriving the needed calcium from the skeleton to maintain the normal range of calcium in the blood.

Signs that You Have Vitamin D Deficiency

Severe deficiency of Vitamin D increases risks of occurring rickets in children due to incorrect patterns, weak muscles, pain in bones and deformities in joints. Kids having vitamin D deficiency can have weak muscles, sore or painful muscles. The deficiency of Vitamin D in adults shows the following signs-

  • Fatigue or tiredness
  • Muscles weakness, muscle aches or muscle pain
  • Mood swings like depression
  • Bone pain
  • Heart diseases
  • Disturbed Immune Health

Health Conditions Related to Vitamin D Deficiency

Taking a sufficient amount of Vitamin D in diet may keep you healthy and protected against the following health conditions-

  • Heart-related diseases and high blood pressure
  • Infections
  • Diabetes
  • Immune system-related ailments
  • Colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer
  • Multiple sclerosis.

Common Reasons for Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by either a few specific medical conditions or some special factors that lessen Vitamin D from your body. They are-

  • Cystic Fibrosis, Crohn’s Disease and Celiac Diseases-These diseases prevent intestines to absorb sufficient vitamin D with supplements.
  • Weight Loss Surgeries- Usually, weight loss surgeries reduces the size of the intestines and thus making it difficult to consume enough Vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals.
  • Obesity-A person with a BMI of more than 30 indicates lower levels of Vitamin D. Fat cells restricts the process of absorption of Vitamin D.
  • Kidney and Liver Diseases-Such diseases lessen the enzymes required for activating Vitamin D. It creates a deficiency of adequate active form of Vitamin D in the body.

Final Words

People who are vegan or lactose-intolerant are more prone to Vitamin D deficiency. Fulfilling the Vitamin D deficiency is sometimes difficult with food and sunlight exposure. Thus, it becomes necessary to have additional nutritional supplements in the diet to replenish this deficiency.

The amount of Vitamin D requirements vary in people belonging to different age groups. Usually, infants need 400 IU per day, kids Vitamin D intake varies in between 400-600 IU/day, while in adults,it varies in between 600-800 IU/day. Lactating or pregnant ladies may need 600 IU/day. One can prevent Vitamin D deficiency by taking more Vitamin D-rich food and exposing your body daily to sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes.