By: Ozren Podnar |
12 little-known benefits of vitamin D |
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Is there a substance that strengthens bones, enhances immunity and reduces the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and depression, and all of that for free?
Sounds too good to be true, but it is real!
It is the vitamin D that we get from the sun.
Despite its abundant availability, half of the population has insufficient quantities of vitamin D in their body.
Vitamin D is present in many parts of the body, where it affects the important life processes.
Scientists have long known that this vitamin is essential for the health and strength of the bones and that its deficiency leads to the development of rickets and osteoporosis.
However, it has been recently discovered that vitamin D deficiency is also linked to the increased risk of many diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, impaired mental functions and certain types of cancer.
Find out more benefits if the sun vitamin.
1. Skin health
If you notice that your skin is pale, it is possible that you have low levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D can successfully reduce acne, increase skin elasticity, stimulate collagen production and reduce dark spots on the skin.
Intake of vitamin D can reduce the risk of developing melanoma, life-threatening skin cancer, according to a study conducted at Stanford University.
2. Breast cancer
High doses of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
One study found that the combination of 1000 IU of vitamin D and 1500 mg of calcium reduces the prevalence of this form of cancer.
This study showed that increased doses of vitamin D reduce the chances of developing cancer by 75%.
In half of cases vitamin D was able to prevent the growth of already developed breast tumor cells.
3. Diabetes
Children that in their first year of life receive sufficient quantities of vitamin D3 have 80% lower risk of type 1 diabetes in the next 30 years of their life.
Research has shown that the sun vitamin also reduces risk of diabetes type 2, especially when vitamin D is combined with calcium.
4. Cardiovascular diseases
Irish experts have reported that vitamin D has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels by regulating hormones that affect blood pressure and controlling the amount of calcium in the blood.
Research conducted at Harvard University found that women with low levels of vitamin D have a 67% higher risk of developing hypertension.
5. Muscle weakness
Muscle weakness is usually due to a lack of this vitamin, because without it our muscles are not functioning properly.
Vitamin D is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the muscles, improving muscle contraction.
One study has shown that diets rich in vitamin D leads to a greater muscle mass.
6. Chronic kidney disease
Vitamin D intake is necessary for patients with advanced kidney disease because they are unable to produce the active form of vitamin D.
7. Colds and flu
Vitamin D deficiency brings an increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses.
In a study conducted in the UK it was found that vitamin D greatly reduces the risk of developing respiratory diseases in children.
8. Asthma
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased airway sensitivity, poorer lung function and asthma attacks.
Vitamin D intake may reduce the severity of asthma attacks.These attacks are less severe in people who take 1200 IU of vitamin D daily.
9. Psoriasis
Studies show that vitamin D is useful against psoriasis. It works by slowing the growth of abnormal skin cells and reducing local inflammation.
Vitamin D increases the effectiveness of other treatments against psoriasis.
10. Periodontitis
Chronic gum disease causes swelling and bleeding, but it can be healed by vitamin D.
Higher amounts of vitamin D produce compounds that have antimicrobial properties and reduce inflammation in the mouth.
11. Dementia
Scientists at the European University found that vitamin D is linked to our mental functions.
A study at the University of Cambridge observed mental abilities of patients according to the levels of vitamin D in their blood.
It found that people with the highest vitamin D levels have the best mental functions, while the poorest results were shown by the people with the deficiency of this vitamin.
12. Depression
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the depression. People who suffer from depression are usually household types who rarely go out, do not exercise and eat unhealthy foods - which can lead to a deficiency of this vitamin.
Such persons usually feel better when they take vitamin D.
One of its functions is to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which makes us feel happy.
How to get sufficient quantities of vitamin D
Exposure to sunlight is an easy and free way to get enough vitamin D and improve your health. (However do not expose yourself to the strongest sun between 12.00 and 15.00.)
Sun exposure is truly one of the most powerful and effective therapy, which exceeds the efficiency of many modern drugs.
Sunny days are finally coming, use them to recharge your body with this precious vitamin!
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