| Our body can produce vitamin D when we get in | | | | are needed to determine its actual relevance. |
| contact with ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This | | | | Vitamin D functions as an integral supplement in |
| is a fat soluble vitamin. Our exposure to sun is | | | | treating Alzheimer's patients. It is due to the fact |
| essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in our skin. | | | | that these patients lack outdoor activities, so their |
| However, we can get it from varieties of foods as | | | | natural level vitamin D synthesis may get hampered. |
| well. | | | | Vitamin D Natural Sources |
| Vitamin D Functions | | | | Fortified foods can be considered as one of the wise |
| Typically, vitamin D has different variations. Some of | | | | vitamin D natural source. During 1930s, rickets was a |
| them are active in nature, whereas some are not. For | | | | primary health complication in US and it turned out as |
| example, calciferol is the most active variation of | | | | an epidemic. By that time, a milk fortification program |
| vitamin D. Our liver and kidney help in converting | | | | was implemented to fight against rickets. This |
| vitamin D to its most essential hormone variety. | | | | implementation was a success and it nearly |
| When we consume vitamin D from our diet or we | | | | eradicated this complication in the US . Nearly 98-99% |
| produce it in our skin, vitamin D needs to be | | | | milk is fortified with vitamin D supplements in the US . |
| converted into 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D, which is the | | | | However, milk derivatives such as cheese and ice |
| most active physiological variety of vitamin D. The | | | | creams are not fortified as it is with milk. So these |
| activated vitamin D functions like a hormone by | | | | products contain only a small amount of vitamin D in |
| sending neural messages to the intestine in order to | | | | it. |
| boost up the assimilation of phosphorous and calcium. | | | | Our mother nature is generous in vitamin D natural |
| Vitamin D functions by maintaining a balance of | | | | source. There are wide varieties of natural foods that |
| calcium and phosphorous in the blood level. By | | | | contain vitamin D in it. These are cod liver oil, salmon, |
| enhancing calcium absorption, vitamin D aids in | | | | mackerel, tuna fish, sardines, egg, beef liver, and |
| developing and preserving bone strength. Vitamin D | | | | many others. We can easily avail vitamin D from |
| functions in addition to other helpful nutrients to | | | | cheese and pudding prepared from fortified milk. |
| enhance bone mineralization. To keep the bone | | | | Sun exposure can be considered as the most |
| structure firm and strong, vitamin D is a must need | | | | important vitamin D natural source. It offers us plenty |
| nutrient. Without the presence of vitamin D, our | | | | amount of vitamin D that we actually need for our |
| bones become thin and fragile. A deficiency in vitamin | | | | body. Ultraviolet rays from the sun activate the |
| D may cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in | | | | synthesis of vitamin D in our skin area. The intensity |
| adults. These are two types of bone disorder in | | | | of sunlight, humidity, season, smog, cloud and |
| which bones become weaker. | | | | geographical latitude affect vitamin D synthesis in our |
| Long term restricted breast feeding practice without | | | | body. We all need to expose ourselves to the |
| proper vitamin D supplementation may lead in | | | | sunlight in order to receive benefits from vitamin D |
| developing reemergence of rickets. A decrease in | | | | synthesis. |
| outdoor activity and insufficient sun exposure may | | | | Potential Health Risk |
| also trigger in developing rickets in infants. | | | | There is potential health risk associated with the |
| Vitamin D functions at cellular level as well. It | | | | excessive usage of vitamin D supplements. The |
| manages cell development and differentiation. It also | | | | adverse effects may include poor appetite, nausea, |
| aids in maintaining healthy immune system. | | | | constipation, vomiting, weakness and weight loss. It |
| Some scientific studies also suggest that potential | | | | can also boost up calcium levels in the blood stream |
| vitamin D functions like a protective shield against | | | | causing various psychological complications such as |
| various forms of cancer, however, more clinical trials | | | | confusion, depression and irritation. |