The benefits of vitamin D are linked to good bone and tooth health, increased muscle strength and balance, and reduced risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer.
To have adequate levels of vitamin D, you should have a diet rich in fish, eggs and liver, and you should sunbathe daily for at least 15 minutes. However, taking vitamin D supplements may be necessary when the levels of this vitamin in the blood are decreased, which can cause symptoms such as bone pain and weakness.
The following are the key benefits of Vitamin D.
1. Strengthen bones and teeth
Vitamin D is important for strengthening bones and teeth because it increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine and facilitates the entry of these minerals into the bones, which are essential for their formation. Thus, lack of vitamin D can lead to weakening of bones, causing diseases such as rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults and elderly.
2. Prevent diabetes
Vitamin D helps prevent diabetes because it works to maintain the health of the pancreas, the body responsible for producing insulin. Thus, low levels of vitamin D cause the pancreas to release less insulin, which causes an increase in the amount of blood sugar, the main characteristic of diabetes.
3. Prevent obesity
The lack of vitamin D is linked to obesity because low levels of this vitamin in the blood cause an increase in hunger and a decrease in metabolism, causing the body to expend more energy and accumulate more fat.
4. Strengthen muscles and improve balance
Vitamin D is involved in the process of building muscles and is linked to increased muscle strength and agility. Deficiency of this vitamin can cause symptoms such as pain and muscle weakness, especially in the legs, in addition to causing imbalances and falls in the elderly.
5. Improve the immune system
Vitamin D helps to improve the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body because it decreases the production of inflammatory substances and helps in the fight against autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
6. Prevent cancer
Vitamin D participates in the control of cell death, helping to decrease the formation of deficient cells that cause cancer. Adequate levels of vitamin D are linked primarily to the prevention of breast, prostate, colorectal, and renal cancer.
In addition to these benefits, vitamin D also prevents high blood pressure, heart disease and multiple sclerosis. So, to prevent diseases and have adequate levels of vitamin D in the blood, see:
- Find out what Vitamin D is and where to find it
- How to Take Sunshine Effectively to Produce Vitamin D
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