8 Health Benefits of Vitamin D You Did Not Expect

Several studies report that people with fibromyalgia have low Vitamin D levels. In fact, Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to play a role in almost every major disease. In this guest post, Carrie Snider explains the health benefits of Vitamin D.

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The Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Guest Post by Carrie Snider

When you think of catching up on your sunny days, how do you feel about taking Vitamin D? Do you know that it will give you that instant glow when you expose yourself to sunlight? In fact, experts are now referring to this vitamin as the “sunshine vitamin.” It is because you can produce it in your skin as you respond to the sunlight.

Vitamin D is also a fat soluble vitamin. It belongs to the family compounds of Vitamins D1, D2, and D3. Moreover, it may have an effect on more than 2,000 genes found in your body. But, do you know the benefits of Vitamin D not only to your skin but also to your body? Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of Vitamin D and how to maximize them.

8 Surprising Benefits of Vitamin D

Here is the list of the Top 8 advantages you can get from Vitamin D:

Benefit #1: Denser and Stronger Bones

Most people think that Calcium is the primary precursor of denser and stronger bones, right? But, it is somewhat true! Calcium plays a vital role when it comes to boosting bone mineral density and bone health. However, you should not also ignore the role that Vitamin D takes.

In fact, a lot of research studies have proven that Vitamin D is the primary stimulant of calcium deposition when it comes to your bones. It makes them healthier and stronger. Thus, if you lack Vitamin D, your body starts to slow down and even halt the deposition of calcium in your bones. And eventually, it will draw the calcium ions out of your bones. Then, forcing it to go back to your bloodstream. Gradually, the cycle of depositing and withdrawal will cause your bones to weaken. That’s why a lot of people experience bone fractures quickly.

Benefit #2: Increased Function of Your Muscles
When you deprive yourself of getting Vitamin D supplementation, it may hinder your muscle gains. In fact, a study has reported that more than 70 percent of men experience depletion of such vitamins. People aging 20 to 29 years old often suffer Vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, athletes usually lack Vitamin D. And gradually, it leads to muscle weakness and atrophy. Thus, you should not skip your Vitamin D supplement if you do not want to injure yourself during training.

Benefit #3: Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention

The main work of Vitamin D in our body is to heighten the absorption of Calcium to carry out proper bone growth. However, did you know that it also plays a significant role in protecting your heart? A recent study demonstrated that people lacking with Vitamin D are at risk of acquiring heart diseases. As a matter of fact, they may develop increased blood pressure, sudden cardiac arrest, or heart failure. But up to now, experts have not yet revealed the exact cause.

But, it appears that Vitamin D helps in lowering blood pressure and enhancing vascular elasticity. It can also regulate your blood sugar level. So, to make your heart healthy, you need to have Vitamin D supplementation.

Benefit #4: Lowering the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
People should understand that Type 2 DM may cause long-term complications. It may lead to heart problems, nerve damage, eye complications, and even kidney damage. In fact, recent studies have claimed that Vitamin D helps in the reduction of glucose in our blood. Thus, it helps in reducing the risk of the development of Type 2 DM.

Benefit #5: Lowering the Risk of Acquiring Cancer
Out of the many advantages, you’d get from Vitamin D; this is the most surprising. Research studies have suggested that an adequate amount of Vitamin D will help reduce the risk of getting cancer. Additionally, it can alleviate the risk of acquiring many types of cancer like breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

It is also a very potent inhibitor of the growth of cancer cells. Plus, it lowers the risk of developing cancer by boosting calcium absorption. It also helps in cell differentiation as it stops the metastasis of cancer.

Benefit #6: Helps Fight Many Diseases

Researchers have also claimed that Vitamin D may also portray a crucial role in lowering the risk of getting other diseases. In fact, it helps in reducing your risk of acquiring multiple sclerosis. It also helps in reducing your risk of developing heart problems. Additionally, it helps in decreasing your risk of developing flu.

Benefit #7: Helps Fight Depression
A research study has proved that Vitamin D may take a vital role in maintaining a person’s mood. Also, it helps in stopping the development of depression. In a study, researchers claimed that individuals with depression who took Vitamin D supplement observed an improvement in patients’ mood. In another study, Vitamin D deficiency commonly appears in people with depression and panic attacks.

Benefit #8: Helps Facilitate Weight Loss

Experts suggest that if you are planning to shed off some weight, you need to incorporate Vitamin D supplementation. A study proved that people who took Vitamin D on a regular basis lose weight significantly. However, they also enhanced their risk markers of developing heart diseases. In another research study, individuals lose weight more efficiently by taking Vitamin D and Calcium. Researchers claimed that Calcium and Vitamin D had a remarkable effect on their appetite.

And hey, here’s a great video you can watch:

How Can You Produce Vitamin D in Your Body?

Your body produces Vitamin D as sunlight converts cholesterol into Calciol or Vitamin D3. Then, your body starts to convert it to Calcidiol in the liver. Next, your kidney begins to change Calcidiol into a more potent form called Vitamin D or Calcitriol.

Conclusion

You see, the body produces Vitamin D in a natural way. It happens when you expose yourself directly to sunlight. A little time exposed to the sun can go a long way. All that matters is to expose yourself directly to the sun at least 10 minutes per day.

And besides obtaining Vitamin D through sunlight, you can also acquire it from foods and supplements. By doing so, it will ensure your body of enough Vitamin D levels, especially in your blood.

So, keep exposing yourself to sunlight, have a proper diet, and take the right supplements, and you will get all the benefits mentioned above.