5 VITAL Reasons to Get MORE Vitamin D

If you’re a regular Natural Health Today reader, you ALREADY know I’m a BIG fan of sunlight.

Getting plenty of sunshine throughout your day sets your circadian rhythm, translating to better sleep, metabolism, energy levels, and more.

Sunlight is also, hands down, the BEST source of vitamin D.

Why would you want to load up on D?

I’m glad you asked…

Vitamin D (which your body converts into a hormone) affects your nervous, muscular, and immune systems. Plus, it improves insulin sensitivity, kidney function, and calcium absorption.

You have vitamin D receptors in your brain, heart, and muscles.

That’s why, when you get plenty of D, you’ll have a reduced risk of diseases and conditions in which the vital vitamin is involved. It’s also why a deficiency can cause such a wide range of problems.

Let’s take a closer look.

Osteoporosis

Adequate vitamin D can reduce your risk of osteoporosis. This is because D helps your body absorb calcium, which is essential for strong bones.

Vitamin D can also slow bone mineral loss, reduce fractures, and prevent osteoporosis.

Psoriasis

Low vitamin D levels are linked to an increased risk of psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes itchy, scaly patches to develop on your skin.

This is likely because vitamin D plays a role in the proliferation and maturation of keratinocytes, the primary cell in your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin).

Multiple Sclerosis

Low vitamin D levels increase your risk of another autoimmune condition: multiple sclerosis (MS).

Studies consistently link low D levels to higher relapse rates in MS.

On the flip side, higher D levels are associated with a reduced risk of developing MS and less clinical activity in established cases. This includes fewer relapses and reduced disease severity.

Depression

Sunlight helps reduce your risk of depression—and vitamin D is a big reason why.

Studies show a deficiency in D increases the risk of depression-like symptoms. In addition, people suffering from depression tend to have lower levels of the sunshine vitamin.

Cancer

Vitamin D supplements are tied to a lower overall risk of metastatic or fatal cancers. In addition, studies show that HIGHER levels are connected to LOWER risk of colorectal and bladder cancers.

Lab studies indicate that vitamin D can inhibit carcinogenesis and slow tumor progression.

The best way to increase your vitamin D level is to spend around 20 minutes daily in the midday sun.

For a bigger boost, eat more fatty fish, eggs, and mushrooms, as these are some of the few food sources of vitamin D.

P.S. Don’t miss these 4 surprising signs your body is vitamin deficient.

SOURCE:

Devje, S. (2023, February 6.) “Vitamin D Benefits.” Healthline.