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WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin
that is found in food. However, you body also makes vitamin D
after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D exists
in several forms and each has a different function in the body.
Some forms are relatively inactive and have a limited ability to
function as a vitamin. The liver and kidneys help convert vitamin
D to its active hormone calcitriol. Vitamin D in its active form
is vital to the production of various hormones and neurotransmitters,
and help improve our brain function.
The most important function of vitamin D is to help maintain normal
blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D helps the body
to absorb calcium and is important to the body for forming strong
bones. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin and
brittle. Vitamin D helps prevent rickets in children and
osteopororsis in adults.
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Research has
shown that utilizing vitamin D and calcium supplements can
reduce your risk of some forms of cancer by as much as 60
percent.
Some scientists believe that combinations may be the single most
effective medicine against cancer.
Why is it important to get vitamin D from the sun? Vitamin D is
found
in a lot of different foods, in particular, fatty fish such as salmon,
mackerel and tuna all have high concentrations of vitamin D. But
the
body needs sunlight to convert most other foods and the inactive form
of vitamin D into the active form of vitamin D.
The ultraviolet rays of the sun (UV rays)
are the only rays that
actually trigger the synthesis of vitamin D. If you are using sun
tanning beds instead of natural sunlight, you need to ensure that the
bed radiates some UV rays.
The bottom line, vitamin D is a unique vitamin in that the body
naturally produces it as a result of exposure to the sun. Just
remember, too much of anything can be a bad thing, and too much sun
exposure can lead to skin cancer. Moderate amounts of sunshine,
ten to
fifteen minutes exposure two or three times a week is adequate for most
people.
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