Vitamin D Role in Mental Health & Disease Prevention

Vitamin D Role in Mental Health & Disease Prevention

The Role of Vitamin D in the Body

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which is synthesized in the skin by the action of ultraviolet B radiation. Vitamin D plays an important role in many functions of human body, including regulation of bone density, immune health, cardiovascular health and neuromuscular function.

The role of vitamin D in the body is to maintain healthy bones and teeth by helping you absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. It also helps with muscle function, immunity, blood vessel function, heart health and more!

Inadequate intake of vitamin D has been linked to a myriad of health problems from bone disease to cancer. The skin produces this vitamin through exposure to sunlight, however certain factors such as sun sensitivity, skin coloration, and use of sunscreen can inhibit its production.

What is the Recommended Intake for Adults

In the US, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is 600 IU per day for people aged 9 years and older.

The Recommended Intake for adult males over the age of 70 is 800 IU per day.

For younger children, 10 mcg (400 IU) is sufficient and they should receive 400-500 IU of vitamin D daily through food intake.

A person's RDA increases with age and individuals who spend most of their time indoors or who live at higher latitudes may require more vitamin D to ensure they get adequate levels of the nutrient.

What are the Best Sources of Vitamins D

We should take vitamin D supplements when we don't get enough of the nutrient from food sources or sunlight exposure. Supplements have been shown to be effective in preventing vitamin D deficiency while fortified foods have been shown to prevent deficiencies among populations where food sources are limited.

Although most people know that their bodies need vitamin D, they do not know where they should be getting it from. This section will give you a list of some of the best sources that can provide your body with vitamin D.

3 Best Sources of Vitamins D

  1. Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D. The sun produces a certain wavelength of light which penetrates the skin, and converts cholesterol to Vitamin D. This makes sunlight one of the best sources for Vitamin D.
  2. Dairy products are another great source for Vitamins A and B as well as vitamin D. Cow's milk is one such dairy product which contains all three vitamins.
  3. Some breakfast cereals also contain Vitamin D as well as other vitamins and minerals.

The Impact and Importance of Vitamin D in Mental Health and Disease Prevention

The purpose of this section is to inform readers about the importance of vitamin D for mental health and it’s impact on various other chronic diseases.

Vitamin D has an important role in mental health and disease prevention. It can have positive effects on mood, cognition, and behavior. It is also associated with different neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D deficiency also increases the risk of depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM), osteoporosis (T2DM), autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis), cancer (colon cancer) and mortality (cardiovascular mortality).

Conclusion: Why You Should Add More Vitamin D to Your Diet Today

There are many reasons to take vitamin D supplements. These include preventing bone diseases, reducing the risk of cancer, depression and heart disease among others.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for human beings; it is called the “sunshine vitamin” because lack of sun exposure can lead to a deficiency in vitamin D levels. Vitamin D also aids in calcium absorption and is crucial for bone health.

Please call Superior Compounding Pharmacy to speak with one of our licensed pharmacists today at 734-404-6065. We can help answer any medication questions that you may have.

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