Health Benefits of Vitamin D

One of the most over-looked and under-consumed nutrients is vitamin D. However, it plays an important role in literally thousands of different processes in your body which makes it vital for your health. Many people are deficient in this “sunshine vitamin” because of poor dietary choices and because they don’t spend enough time outside in the sunlight. In fact, it is estimated that around 1 billion people across the globe suffer from vitamin D deficiencies.

Here are just a few of the health benefits of vitamin D

Bone Strength

Although most people rightfully associate calcium with the building of strong bones, what they often miss is that without vitamin D, your bones won’t hold onto the calcium they need. Vitamin D is the mineral responsible for encouraging your body to deposit calcium in the bones, and without enough of it, your body will actually begin to pull calcium from your bones and send it into the bloodstream. By getting enough vitamin D, you can stop this cycle and encourage calcium to strengthen your bones.

Muscle Function

Whether or not you are a body builder, muscle function is important. However, if you’re not getting enough vitamin D, you will soon find your muscles to be weaker which makes even normal, everyday tasks seem impossible. Studies have found that vitamin D deficiencies are associated with Type 2 muscle fiver atrophy. To avoid your muscles growing weaker, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, which has a role in muscle formation and helps the nervous system communicate with your muscles.

Heart Health

Although there is still a lot of research that needs to be done to uncover exactly how vitamin D helps your heart, there is plenty of research that clearly shows a connection between vitamin D and hearth health. Individuals that have vitamin D deficiencies are also at a higher risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and heart failure. On the other hand, those with sufficient vitamin D levels saw reduced risks to these same heart diseases.

Lowered Risk of Diabetes

Having diabetes brings on a number of other severe health risks, which is why reducing your risk for developing it is one of the best things you can do for yourself. If you are at-risk for developing diabetes because of your lifestyle or genetics, it’s important that you make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D to help limit this risk. Vitamin D works with the body to decrease insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation throughout the body, both of which are associated with type 2 diabetes.

Lowered Risk of Cancer

Recent studies have found that vitamin D is one of the most powerful inhibitors of cancer growth cells. It can also reduce or even prevent metastasis, and by helping your body absorb more calcium, in improves your body’s ability to fight cancer cells. Vitamin D supplementation is therefore highly recommended for everyone, and can be especially helpful for those with colon, prostate, ovarian, or breast cancer, or those who are at a higher risk of developing them.

Conclusion

To improve your overall health and to experience the many health benefits of vitamin D, start taking vitamin D supplements today. They come in a wide variety of amounts depending on your personal preferences and needs.

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