Vitamin D is a health "super gun" for all ages. Researchers even describe it as a vitamin of the future. Until a few years ago, most knew that it is necessary only to prevent osteoporosis and rickets. However, today, the data are quite different, as new evidence demonstrates its very important role in maintaining good health.
Vitamin D is our modern ally
According to new scientific research that is in the spotlight, the advantages of vitamin D are as follows:
One such example is the Research of the University of Harvard on 10,000 women. The results showed that those of the survey participants taking vitamin D supplements were 43% less likely to develop some form of heart disease within the next eleven years.
Other studies have highlighted the contribution of vitamin D to the prevention of several serious diseases. Some of them are prostate, breast, skin & colon cancer. Vitamin D acts in the body limiting the growth and breakdown of cancer cells.
Further, it has been claimed that chronic insufficient vitamin D intake may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Many studies show its significant contribution to cases of psychiatric diseases (e.g. depression) and autoimmune diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis).
All of the above demonstrate the great importance of vitamin D in meeting the needs of our body.
Weight loss
The combination of adequate intake of vitamin D with a healthy diet, leads to the loss of pounds and especially abdominal fat. This was the result of research by the University of Minnesota.
Children
At the same time, vitamin D protects children from the onset of rickets. The American Pediatric Society recommends that it be given to all infants who breastfeed in their first six months of life. It also recommends that it be given to all children and adolescents who do not consume at least 1000ml of milk per day. Specifically, the recommended amount for them is 400IU, when 100ml of milk contains 40 IU of vitamin D.
Vitamin D: the health problems caused by its lack
The most serious complications of vitamin D deficiency are:
Also, the lack of this valuable vitamin has been linked to an increased risk of:
SOS Signs
The most common symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency are fatigue, generalized muscle weakness, cramps, joint pain, inability to concentrate, headaches.
How to diagnose
Vitamin D levels in the body are controlled by a blood test called 25-hydroxy vitamin D. According to scientists at the American Endocrinological Society, the lowest normal limit in the blood should be 30 ng/ml. Between 20 and 30 ng/ml is considered deficient and below 10 ng/ml vitamin D deficiency. Ideally its levels in the blood should be between 40 and 60 ng/ml.