Vitamin D Health Benefits

Vitamin D health benefits

Vitamin D is critical for proper bone health. It promotes calcium absorption and helps prevent osteoporosis.

Additional roles of vitamin D include reduction of inflammation, neuro muscular support, and possibly warding off depression.

Some studies posit that vitamin D can help with weight loss, and reduction in risk for certain diseases, but there isn't a large body of evidence yet.

Vitamin D and immunity

The immune system requires vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses.

In a randomized trial conducted on over 300 Japanese school children over a 4-month winter flu season, those that received a vitamin D supplement had a 40 percent lower rate in certain types of flu, compared to a control group. However, rates for other types of flu were similar.

Other studies have shown that weekly vitamin D supplements lower the risk of acute respiratory infections.

Vitamin D and Covid-19

Research is ongoing, but definitive conclusions have yet to be published, as this is a new disease. That said, it makes sense to check your vitamin D levels and increase them if they are low.

Based on existing information, some governments are taking action. In the UK, for example, clinically vulnerable people are now receiving a FREE 4-month supply of daily vitamin D supplements.

People at risk for lower levels of vitamin D

• post-menopausal women
• people who had gastric bypass procedures,
• individuals who have celiac and other nutrient absorption related conditions
• dark skinned people whose body is more effective at blocking sunshine

If you are in a risk group, consult with a health professional and consider get tested for vitamin D levels.

Foods with naturally occurring vitamin D

Unfortunately, there are very few foods with naturally occurring vitamin D. They include:

• cod liver oil (1 tablespoon has 34 mcg, 220% of the daily value)
• swordfish (3 oz serving, 14 mcg, 94% DV)
• salmon (3 oz, 11 mcg, 75% DV)
• tuna (canned or fresh) (3 oz, 4 mcg, 25% DV)
• sardines (2 pieces, 1 mcg, 7% DV)
• beef liver (3 oz, 1 mcg, 7% DV)
• eggs, mostly the yolk (1 mcg, 7% DV)

Foods that are fortified with vitamin D

In the US, public health officials have mandated dairy milk be fortified with vitamin D. This historical decision virtually eliminated rickets, a disease that many children suffered from.

• Dairy milk - 25% DV
• Dairy-free milk - varies, check the label
• Orange juice - varies, but juice is high in sugar so may not be worth it.
• Breakfast cereal - some manufacturers add vitamin D, but again, if the cereal is high in sugar, seek nutrients elsewhere.

Vitamin D supplements

If you can't get sufficient amounts of vitamin D from sunshine or food, the supplement industry will be more than happy to sell you some. It is available as D2 or D3.

Vitamin D is actually a group of compounds. The most common are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).

Vitamin D3 is from animal sources, while vitamin D2 is derived from yeast and fungi and as such can be consumed by vegans and vegetarians.

Bottom Line

Vitamin D is a critical component of bone health. Vitamin D may be beneficial to the immune system.

If you've never checked your blood vitamin D levels, do it. In any case, there are multiple food sources as well as supplements to choose from.

Our BMAX multivitamin has vitamin D in it. Suggested doseage is 1 to 3 per day.
I personally take 2 BMAX just before breakfast. I have my D levels checked and since taking the BMAX my D levels are where they should be.
Get started on BMAX today. Get it at.
https://www.herbals-unlimited.com/b-max.htm

B Max Ingredients List

Nutrisail BMax MultiVitamin

Sources:

1. Cranney et al - Effectiveness and safety of vitamin D in relation to bone health - NIH, 2007
2. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.
3. Clarke et al - Vitamin D Insufficiency - Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2011
4. Giovannucci, et al - Epidemic influenza and vitamin D - Epidemiology & Infection, 2006

 

Vitamin D for Women

African-American woman have higher rates of vitamin D deficiency associated with aggressive breast cancer than white women, a new study finds.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina studied 107 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, including 60 African-Americans. Sixty percent of African-American women studied had low vitamin D levels, compared to 15% of white women.

“We know that darker skin pigmentation acts somewhat as a block to producing vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is the primary source of vitamin D in most people,” study author Susan Steck, PhD, MPH, professor of epidemiology at the University of South Carolina, says in a news release.

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Breast Cancer

All participants donated a blood sample, and vitamin D concentrations were measured.

The mean serum concentration of vitamin D was 29.8 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) in white women and 19.3 ng/ml in African-American women, researchers say in a news release.

Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum concentration of less than 20 ng/mL. Aggressive breast cancer was eight times more likely among patients with vitamin D deficiency.

More Research Needed on Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency

The study, Steck says, provides a foundation for possible preventive strategies, but she adds that more research is needed to confirm findings.

All participants were between 33 and 84 years old.
Vitamin D levels are affected by sun exposure, dietary intake, supplements, skin tone, age, and body mass index.

Women need to take a supplement with Vitamin D because we do not have time to get out in the sun everday. Click on the link below to find a great multi vitamin for women.

http://www.herbals-unlimited.com/b-max.htm