The Power Of Vitamin D: 17 Facts You Need To Know

Have you heard of vitamin D? The substance is fundamental to health because it acts in various functions of the body. The main one is linked to bone health, as it aids in calcium absorption, increases bone strength and helps prevent fractures.

But micronutrient acts in many other areas: fighting hypertension, aiding in the regulation of hormones, contributing to muscle performance, among other factors.

The list below is prepared under the guidance of nutritionist Denise Real and lists 17 interesting facts you need to know about this full-benefit vitamin. Check out!

1. Vitamin D is known as the sun vitamin. This is because the largest amounts of this vitamin are obtained by exposing the skin to sunlight.
2. Unlike other vitamins, only about 10% of the vitamin D the body needs comes from food. The other 90% is produced by the body itself.
3. Light-skinned people absorb Vitamin D more easily. The darker the skin, the longer sun exposure is required to metabolize the substance.
4. One of the main benefits of the vitamin for the body is the increase in bone strength. This is because it stimulates the absorption of calcium, an indispensable nutrient for bones and teeth. Vitamin D is even considered a great ally in the fight against osteoporosis.
5. It is also critical for reducing estrogen levels in menopause.
6. Fighting hypertension and assisting in weight maintenance are some of its many functions.
7. Vitamin D plays an important role in proper thyroid function and insulin secretion from the pancreas.
8. Because of its help in controlling insulin, some studies suggest that deficiency of this vitamin could cause diabetes.
9. The vitamin acts on the immune system and helps in protecting the body. It is also believed to be responsible for controlling about 10% of cell functions.
10. The nutrient contributes to the performance of muscles, nerves, blood clotting, cell growth and energy utilization.
11. New studies point out that the vitamin is also important in stress management, melanin synthesis and differentiation of skin and blood cells.
12. Research indicates the effectiveness of vitamin in multiple sclerosis treatments. According to the study, the lower the vitamin D level, the more virulent this disease will be.
13. Sun exposure is not the only source of this vitamin. It can also be found in foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, butter, fish and beef liver. However, it is believed that the synthesis of the vitamin by sun exposure is much higher than that related to food intake.
14. A study showed that about 1 billion people worldwide have low levels of vitamin D1. In our country, 99.3% of the population ingest the vitamin at levels below the recommended.
15. Sufficient vitamin D levels are not always achieved through exposure to sunlight. Sometimes it is necessary for the substance to be administered in other ways.
16. Some of the symptoms of this vitamin deficiency are muscle weakness and risk of infection. In the elderly, a lack of vitamin D can contribute to brittle bones.
17. If you are deficient in this vitamin, you can get the optimal amount of vitamin D through supplements prescribed by a doctor.

To count on the benefits of vitamin D, try sunning yourself for about 15 to 20 minutes a day. But always with caution: Avoid sunbathing from 10:00 to 16:00 and always use the sunscreen.

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