What is the importance of vitamin D?

What is the importance of vitamin D

Contents 

1. Vitamin D. 
2. The importance of vitamin D. 
3. Foods rich in vitamin D. 
4. Symptoms and dangers of vitamin D deficiency 
5. Causes of vitamin D deficiency 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is sometimes called the sun vitamin, because human skin can produce it when exposed to sunlight , and it is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin D is called a group of compounds that include vitamin D-1, vitamin D-2, and vitamin D -3, and Vitamin D differs from other vitamins by the possibility of forming it inside the body unlike other types of vitamins that must be obtained from food. Vitamin D also has an important role in many vital functions, such as: regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and enhancing the functions of the natural immune system Natural growth and development Bones and teeth, in addition to improving resistance against some diseases.

The importance of vitamin D

 Vitamin D is of great importance to the human body and the body, due to its multiple roles and benefits. We mention from the following:

• Maintaining bone health: Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and maintaining their levels inside the body, and these two elements are very important to maintain bone health , just as the body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium in the intestine and reduce its loss through the kidneys And, therefore, a lack of vitamin D in children may cause rickets , while a lack of it in adults may lead to softening or brittle bones. 
• Reducing the risk of influenza: As pedestrians indicate that giving children 1,200 IU of vitamin D daily for four months during the winter season may reduce their risk of influenza by 40%. 
• Reducing the risk of developing diabetes: As many studies indicate that a low concentration of vitamin D in the blood is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and lack of adequate amounts of this vitamin may adversely affect the body's production of insulin and its ability to tolerate glucose . 
• Maintaining the health of infants: studies indicate that infants who were given 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, had greater hardness in the arterial wall after 16 weeks compared to other children, and that vitamin D deficiency in children is associated with a higher risk of infection With allergies, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eczema . 
• Maintaining a healthy pregnancy: Pregnant women who suffer from vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have pre-eclampsia, or pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and the possibility of a caesarean section. 
• Reducing the risk of cancer: Vitamin D is of great importance in regulating cell growth. Some studies have indicated that Calcitriol - the effective hormonal form of vitamin D - may slow the growth and development of blood vessels in cancerous tissues, which reduces the spread of cancerous cells and may help their death. 

Food rich in vitamin D

In addition to the body’s ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, some foods may help supply the body with its vitamin D needs. Among these foods we mention the following:

• Salmon
• Egg yolk
• Shrimp fish
• Supported milk
• Supported grains
• Supported yogurt
• Fortified orange juice.

Symptoms and dangers of vitamin D deficiency

 Bone pain and muscle weakness are among the most important signs of vitamin D deficiency, noting that a slight deficiency in vitamin D with very mild or even symptoms without symptoms may pose major health risks, including: 

• Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. 
• Cognitive impairment in the elderly. 
• Acute asthma in children. 

Causes of a deficiency of vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency can occur for several reasons, including: 

• Not following a good diet: A diet that lacks animal products, including fish, fish oils , egg yolks, fortified milk, and beef liver, may lead to vitamin D.
• Limited exposure to sunlight: As mentioned previously, the body can produce vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight, and therefore not being exposed to enough time may cause deficiency in this vitamin. 
• Possessing dark skin: melanin may limit the ability of the skin to respond to sunlight and produce vitamin D; as some studies indicate that older people who have dark skin are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. 
• The kidneys 'inability to convert vitamin D into its active form: The kidneys' ability to convert vitamin D into its active form may weaken with age, which increases the possibility of vitamin D. 
• Inability of the gut to absorb sufficient amounts of vitamin D: As some health problems may affect the body's ability to absorb vitamin D from food, including Crohn's disease , cystic fibrosis, and digestive disorders, which may lead to its deficiency. 
• Obesity: Studies indicate that people with a BMI of 30 or more often suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.