Vitamin D: An Overview
Vitamin D, chemically known as Biologically, vitamin D is responsible for maintaining consistent levels of calcium and phosphorous within the body.
It aids in the process of calcium absorption, ensuring the development of strong and healthy bones. It is also responsible for bone mineralization in conjunction with numerous other vitamins, minerals, hormones, and essential amino acids.
Vitamin D is a necessary component in immune system operations, modulating specific pathways. It has a general role in the process of cell differentiation. There are two main ways in which vitamin D is absorbed into the body.
Vitamin D is obtained through the intake of specific foods, but is also naturally absorbed into the body from sunlight.
Vitamin D: Disease Prevention, Treatment and Effectiveness
Vitamin D is essential to all biological systems within the body. Vitamin D has been associated with several diseases for treatment and prevention. Research continues for further support to the exact mechanisms by which vitamin D is supplementary to the prevention and/or treatment of these diseases.
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hypocalcemia
- Familial hypophosphatemia
- Fanconi syndrome
- Psoriasis
- Osteomalacia
- Osteoporosis
- Pain/weakness of muscles
- Rickets
- Renal osteodystrophy
- Insulin level regulation
Vitamin D: Deficiencies
Rickets and osteomalacia are the two most common classical diseases caused by a vitamin D deficiency. Rickets is typically diagnosed in children with a vitamin D deficiency; causing bone malformation and skeletal deformities. Osteomalacia is typically diagnosed in adults with a vitamin D deficiency; causing weakness in bone structure and function, as well as muscular weakness.
Vitamin D: Natural and Fortified Sources
Vitamin D is naturally present in many foods, but is fortified into more commonly eaten foods to decrease incidence of deficiencies.
Natural sources include:
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Yeast products
- Pudding
- Liver
- Beef
- Eel
- Tuna fish
- Salmon
- Catfish
- Mackerel
- Sardines
Fortified sources include:
- Bread
- Cereals
- Pastries
- Margarine
- Milk
- Yogurt
Vitamin D and Men’s General Health
Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of any individuals overall general health dependent upon age, sex, location, and other individualized circumstances. In particular, men require higher levels of vitamin D than women.
Vitamin D ensures the combination of strong and healthy bones and is correlated with a decrease in the development in osteoporosis. It is a necessary component for the proper activation of the immune system response.
Levels of all vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids are necessary for the maintenance of good general health. Supplementation of multivitamins to a healthy diet can ensure that these requirements are met on a daily basis.
Find a great daily vitamin here.
Sources:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/search.aspx?stype=drug&query=Vitamin%20D
