Our body produces vitamin D as a response to sun exposure, we can also boost our intake through food and supplements. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth, supporting the immune system, the brain and our nervous system. It may also protect us against chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
However, the body can produce vitamin D, we can boost their intake through foods such as: fatty fish (salmon, tuna…), egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms, fortified milk and cereals…
Here are 4 benefits of vitamin D you need to know:
1- Strengthens your bones
Vitamin D promotes absorption of calcium, which is essential to maintain healthy bones, prevent and treat osteoporosis. Vitamin D also plays a major role in maintaining adequate calcium and phosphate concentration in the blood to ensure normal bone mineralization.
2- Prevents type 2 diabetes
Studies have shown that vitamin D may help increase insulin sensitivity, boost beta cells function and reduce inflammation, this could help reduce the risk and help manage type 2 diabetes
3- May prevent cancer
Many studies indicates that vitamin D is associated with lower risk of colon, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Vitamin D is actually an initiator of calcitriol-steroid hormone. Calcitriol plays a major role in cancerous growth in the body. It prevents cancerous cell growth and promotes anti-inflammation actions in our bodies.
4- May prevent hypertension
Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). Vitamin D deficiency may activate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is a system that regulates blood pressure, and trigger hypertension.
Finally, veganity, vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps fortify our bones, and lowers the risk of many chronic diseases. The recommend daily intake of vitamin D is 400 IU for children and 600 to 800 IU for adults.
