Vitamin D is a nutrient that consistently finds itself being discussed in the media. Even so, do you know WHAT it is and why you NEED it?
Vitamin D is one of four fat-soluble vitamins, with A, E, and K rounding out the other three. It can be sourced from fish and eggs, and plays a key role in every aspect of body metabolism including the liver, which acts as the storehouse and plays a significant role itself in your health and well being.
Besides being known as a sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is used by the body to pull calcium from the intestine into the blood. It is the vehicle for calcium to be absorbed into the body. Calcium is the glue that holds cell membranes together, preventing unwanted and unfriendly organisms from doing harm.
The bottom line for vitamin D is this: If you are consistently sick, without any reason, I suggest having your vitamin D3 level tested. The number (blood serum level) you want is forty.
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My 5 Vitamin D Tips:
Vitamin D is important for your immune system. Chronic colds and influenza in winter are common because of the lack of sunshine exposure. Sunshine converts the cholesterol in your skin to Vitamin D3. Cold weather, as you know, requires wearing long sleeves, pants, and coats; you want to do your best efforts exposed to get the most sun year round.
Vitamin D impacts blood pressure by supporting the movement of calcium to the cell membranes in blood vessel walls. Low or deficient calcium may be a blood pressure factor.
Vitamin D helps you lose weight. Your brain uses it to keep hunger and cravings controlled while increasing levels of serotonin, the “feel good” chemical. If your vitamin D levels are low, it impacts your ability to keep your snacking and craving in check, which affects weight loss.
Another way vitamin D impacts weight loss is regarding fat cells. All cells need vitamin D, including fat cells. It helps cells figure out whether to store fat or burn it. The lower your levels, the more likely your body will store fat. In my own case, my body was holding onto pounds because it didn’t realize it needed to be burned, not stored.
Vitamin D is an important catalyst for cancer prevention. Vitamin D is a factor for a process called apoptosis, which is limited cell life. Cells will proliferate when left unchecked; Vitamin D limits the length of time cells continue to live.
- Vitamin D facilitates the entire defense system in your body to function at optimal health; your respiratory system is vulnerable to low vitamin D levels. Chronic bronchitis is often the result of subpar vitamin D any time of the year. From my experience, vitamin D levels in the 5-10 range, with 40 being the optimal number, respond well to vitamin D supplementation instead of antibiotics.
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Dr. Bob DeMaria, “The Drugless Doctor,” is a trusted, long-time partner of SwansonVitamins.com. His views and opinions are his own and are for informational purposes only. Please consult with your primary healthcare provider before changing your personal health regimen.