Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also known as the sunlight vitamin. The reason why it has inherited this name is because your body actually produces this vitamin when the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays strike your skin. Vitamin D, which is technically considered a hormone, is also the

How is it acquired?

One way that it can be acquired is from getting 10 – 15 minutes of sun in the summer a few days a week. In winter it is a little more difficult to acquire this vitamin from the sun. Also, the older you get, your ability to manufacture this vitamin from the sun reduces.
Another way of acquiring this vitamin is by eating foods such as fortified milk and fatty fish, or by taking supplements.

What are the benefits of vitamin D?

It can benefit you by:

	Strengthening your bones and teeth.
	Helps with muscle and contraction and nerve function.
	Helps in blood cell formation and promotion of immunity.
	It may be able to protect against, slow down, and in some cases reverse some types of cancer.
	Helps to prevent osteoporosis.
	Helps to protect against multiple sclerosis.
	Helps to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.

Recommended Intake of Vitamin D:

Men and women ages 19 to 50: 200 IU a day.
Men and women ages 51 to 70: 400 IU a day.
Men and women ages 71 and older: 600 IU

How can low levels of Vitamin D affect me?

By getting lower levels of this vitamin, there is a risk of developing osteoporosis. This usually occurs in cases of adults. Other symptoms include; diarrhea, muscle twitches, nervousness, and insomnia.

In children, there is a risk of getting rickets (Bone weakening disease). Please understand that nowadays it is not that easy for a child to develop rickets. The reason for this is that most children get more than enough of this vitamin just by playing in the sun or by drinking fortified milk.

How can excessive levels of vitamin D affect me?

Please don't take doses of 1,000 IU daily. Toxic reactions from doses over this can include headaches, loss of appetite, vomiting, thirst and excessive urination and diarrhea. Long term over doses of this vitamin can cause premature hardening of the arteries, weakening of the bones, calcium build up of the muscles, high blood pressure and kidney damage.

Other cautions you should know:

Women who are pregnant can face a high risk of birth defects if they take doses higher than 800 IU of this vitamin daily.

Please understand the body is able to effectively get rid of extra vitamin D which is accumulated from the sun, however, in the case of acquiring vitamin d form supplements and vitamin D fortified foods, your body is not able to rid it self of excessive amounts of this vitamin, therefore leading to toxic reactions.

Vitamin D and gum and teeth health
this little combo have been quite an interest these days.
Studies have shown that people in the highest
quintile for vitamin d we 20% less likely to get gum disease.

Vitamin D & hair
Interesting studies were done on this
pair in search for health benefits.

In Bone remodeling D vitamin is important
This nutrient has a lot to do with how your
bones develop over time.

Tanning beds and vitamin D
Are tanning beds a great way for
getting your intake of vitamin D.