Most of us know Vitamin D as the sunshine vitamin. Ten minutes in the sun (mind you, without sunscreen), and voila, your body produces vitamin D as a response to exposure to the sun. Pretty straightforward? And yet, the number of people deficient in vitamin D is staggering. The reasons for this could be many. For instance, your geographical location, late-night shifts, sun phobia, or you cannot imagine going out in the sun without proper protection (read SPF). Irrespective of the category you fall under, the importance of vitamin D cannot be negated.
While we all know that this vitamin is responsible for healthy bones and teeth as it helps with calcium absorption in the body. Additionally, many of us might also know that this is the go-to vitamin if you want to keep conditions like osteoporosis at an arm's length. However, there's more to vitamin D than what meets the eye. Here are some of the lesser-known benefits of vitamin D that you probably did not know.
Recent studies show that vitamin D plays a crucial role in preventing diseases like - type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, deficiency in vitamin D can make you susceptible to serious conditions like breast, prostate, ovaries, colon and esophagus cancers. Meaning, keeping an optimal level of Vitamin D can prove beneficial against cancers.
Adding this supplement to your diet helps move the stuck weighing scale. Yes, you heard us right. Vitamin D can boost weight loss, especially when taken in combination with calcium. According to research, this pair has appetite-suppressing effects on the body.
It also acts as a deterrent towards mental health conditions like depression, anxiety. In fact, scientists discovered that when people suffering from these conditions included vitamin D as part of their regular supplementation experienced an improvement in their symptoms.
There was never a doubt regarding the importance of this particular vitamin. But looking at how it provides protection to the body and mind, it's even more essential to get checked if you are vitamin D deficient. Several reasons can make you deficient in vitamin D. For instance, living in buildings that don't get sunlight due to dense construction. Or if you dwell in a highly polluted area. Additionally, if you have darker skin, vitamin D absorption is prohibited due to increased melanin levels.
Some of the most common symptoms of this deficiency include extreme fatigue, tiredness, severe aches and pains in joints, muscle cramps and low mood, and a feeling of being unwell. Suppose you can identify any of these symptoms but aren't sure. The best way forward is to go to your doctor and get tested for Vitamin D. Your health care provider is most likely to suggest regular supplementation with the correct dosage if you are severely deficient. Foods like shrimps, egg yolks, fortified cereal or milk, salmon, sardines, and fortified orange juice or yogurt are rich sources of vitamin D. And yet fulfilling the daily requirement of this vitamin through food sources remains a challenge. Taking supplements of vitamin D is advisable and a more reliable way of satisfying your body's needs.
Conclusion
So, now that you know about some of the lesser-known benefits of this vitamin. Remember that the supplement market is full of different types and brands of vitamin D. Investing in a reliable brand from a well-known health food store is the only way to ensure its quality and benefits.
If you're looking for vitamins and supplements in Toronto and surrounding areas, Foods for Life has everything you need. We'll provide you with a range of supplements to ensure you're getting the nourishment required for your overall health. Browse through our extensive selection and visit us today!