WE KNOW THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO BE EXPOSED TO THE SUN TO SYNTHESIZE VITAMIN D. MORE THAN EVER, EXPERTS RECOMMEND ADEQUATE LEVELS OF VITAMIN D. BUT WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? LEARN THE BENEFITS OF YOUR HEALTH.
PRIMARY ROLE: HEALTHY BONES AND TEETH
Essential to the metabolism of calcium, it improves intestinal absorption and decreases urine elimination.
It helps prevent a disease called rickets, resulting from a vitamin D deficiency. It is increasingly rare in industrialized countries thanks to early detection. It will often be given to infants exclusively breastfed because breast milk appears to contain a little. Rickets mainly manifests as a growth disorder in children.
NOT JUST A VITAMIN
- The body converts vitamin D into a hormonal form called calcitriol. It plays a role at the cellular level and helps regulate insulin. Hence its interest in autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
- It is also one of the only vitamins that can store in fatty tissue. That's why obese people need a higher dose of vitamin D due to ample fat storage and decreased circulation.
THERAPEUTIC INTEREST
- It has the most benefits, according to several studies, for hypoparathyroidism, psoriasis, osteoporosis, and rickets.
- New studies have discovered some interest in preventing cancer and depression.
- It appears that the administration of vitamin D would reduce the onset of influenza, especially in children under 15, reduce respiratory infections in young men and prevent relapses of pneumonia in children under 3.
- Research has shown benefits in the case of depression, fibromyalgia, and anxiety.
FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN D
- Fatty fish: trout, herring, salmon, tuna, cod liver oil
- Several fortified products: Chicken eggs, cow's milk, or soy drink
FACTORS THAT HINDER ITS ABSORPTION
- Age: after 50 years, it is often necessary to supplement and even more after 70 years, if there is the presence of kidney disease or intestinal absorption
- Lack of sun exposure depending on the season, latitude, and time of day (summer, spring, and autumn, 5 to 15 minutes of exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. seems to be enough)
- Sun creams, although necessary for the prevention of skin cancer, reduce the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin
- People with dark skin need more prolonged exposure to the sun