Shine On: A sunshine vitamin to a Brighter, Healthier Life

All of us know about vitamins, an essential nutrient for the body. There are many vitamins C, vitamins A, vitamins B, and so on.

But you know there is another vitamin essential for our body which we get 90% naturally from nature. 

Yes, you read it right, it is vitamin D. 

Vitamin D is abundant in nature despite that, its deficiency is prevalent in all age groups and has been affecting the worldwide population. 

Let's dive into the blog to learn more about vitamin D. 

What is Vitamin D? 

Vitamin D is also known as the Sunshine vitamin. A fat-soluble vitamin acts as a steroid hormone and aids in calcium absorption in your body. 

Vitamin D is present in two forms: 

• Vitamin D2- It is obtained from UV radiation. Also, it exists in oil-rich fish like salmon, mackerel, etc. 
• Vitamin D3 - It is derived directly from UVB light from the sun. When absorbed through the skin from sunlight, synthesized by our body. 

Why do we need Vitamin D? 

Vitamin D has several benefits for our body. For healthy bones and teeth and a better immune system, we need vitamin D. 

Some of the benefits of vitamin D are: 

⚡️ Anti-inflammatory property 

⚡️ Immune-modulating action

⚡️ Help control infections 

⚡️ Boosts Bone Health 

⚡️ Promotes cardiac health 

⚡️ Cancer Prevention 

Also, research says that low vitamin D levels are linked to several diseases like type 2 diabetes, recurrent fractures, multiple sclerosis, etc. 

How to identify if you have low vitamin D levels? 

A low vitamin D level can show various symptoms. 

Some of them are: 

📍 Being sick

📍 Getting infections often 

📍 Fatigue 

📍 Bone pain 

📍 Recurrent fracture 

📍 Increased risk of fall 

There are blood tests for detecting vitamin D in your blood. A simple blood test with the name vitamin D total test. 

So, if you have any of the above symptoms, it will be best to do a blood test. Moreover, you can add this test to your routine checkup. 

Who are at risk of vitamin D deficiency? 

Vitamin D deficiency is becoming the most common medical condition in the world. It affects 50% of the population worldwide. 

Research studies suggest we need more vitamin D to prevent many chronic diseases.

Some of the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency are: 

📍 Old age

📍 Limited exposure to sunlight 

📍 Dark skin individuals

📍 Staying indoors most of the time

📍 Obese people

📍 Suffering from Celiac Disease

📍 Having depression 

📍 Severe Hair loss

📍 Chronic kidney and liver disease 

📍 Unhealthy dietary habits 

How does one maintain a healthy vitamin D level? 

Maintaining a healthy level of vitamins is vital for healthy living. If you have vitamin D deficiency, you can opt for these: 

✅ Get enough exposure to sunlight

✅ Eat calcium-rich foods

✅ Get tested for vitamin D frequently

✅ If needed, consult with a doctor to take vitamin D supplements 

Takeaway

Being a sunshine vitamin and having less food source, we majorly receive vitamin D from sunlight. However, due to unhealthy lifestyle choices swallowing a pill from a box has become easier than sitting in nature. 

Nevertheless, you must be a friend of nature if you hope to live a long and healthy life.