The nutritionally important forms of Vitamin D in man are Calceferol (Vitamin D2) and Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Calciferol may be derived by irradiation of the plant sterol, ergosterol, Cholecalciferol is the naturally occurring Performed Vitamin D which is found in animal fats and fish liver oils.

It is also derived from exposure to UV rays of the sunlight which converts the cholesterol in the skin to vitamin D. Vitamin D is stored in the fat deposits.

Daily requirements:

The daily requirements of vitamin D are…

• Adults – 2.5 mcg (100 IU)
• Infants and children – 5.0 mcg (200IU)
• Pregnancy and lactation – 10.0 mcg (400 IU)

(One international unit (IU) of vitamin D = 0.025 mg of calciferol -that is, to convert IU to micrograms, divide by 40).

Sources:

Vitamin d is unique because it is derived both from sunlight and foods…

(a) Sunlight: Vitamin D is synthesized by the body by the action of UV rays of sunlight of 7 dehydrocholesterol, which is stored in large abundance in the skin. Exposure to UV rays is critical; these can be filtered off by air pollution. Dark-skinned races such as Negroes also suffer from this disadvantage because black skin can filter off up to 95 percent of UV rays.

(b) Foods: Vitamin occurs by only in the foods of animal origin. Liver, egg yolk, butter and cheese and some species of fish contain useful amounts. Fish liver oils, although not considered to be a food, are the richest sources of Vitamin d. Human milk has recently been shown to contain considerable amounts of water-soluble vitamin D sulfate. Other sources of vitamin D are foods artificially fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, margarine, vanaspathi and infant foods. Find out more on Vitamin D sources and benefits.

The Truth About Vitamin D

Golds G asks if you can have too much vitamin D. You definitely can take too much vitamin D in supplement form. Doctors generally recommend against taking more than 4000 International Units a day.

Vitamin D-are you getting enough?

The Practitioner that I went to had just come from a conference where Vitamin D had been discussed and she was amazed at all the things that it does for us.

Vitamin D – you probably need more of the “sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D also encourages muscle development. Recent studies done at the University of Manchester have determined that young girls (12-14 years) who were supplemented with vitamin D demonstrated more muscular strength and explosive [...]

Author: Dr John Anne

Dr John Anne Also Read Vitamin Information – Benefits, Deficiency, Sources

Find complete and updated information on vitamin, vitamin c, health food vitamin, vitamin b12, vitamin supplement, vitamin world, vitamin e, vitamin D, vitamin b, vitamin k, vitamin a, liquid vitamin, vitamin b complex, vitamin and mineral, multi vitamin. Read http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com – Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids.

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What Is Vitamin D For In Humans?

Our body can produce vitamin D when we get in contact with ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This is a fat soluble vitamin. Our exposure to sun is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in our skin. However, we can get it from varieties of foods as well.

Vitamin D Functions

Typically, vitamin D has different variations. Some of them are active in nature, whereas some are not. For example, calciferol is the most active variation of vitamin D. Our liver and kidney help in converting vitamin D to its most essential hormone variety. When we consume vitamin D from our diet or we produce it in our skin, vitamin D needs to be converted into 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D, which is the most active physiological variety of vitamin D. The activated vitamin D functions like a hormone by sending neural messages to the intestine in order to boost up the assimilation of phosphorous and calcium.

Vitamin D functions by maintaining a balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood level. By enhancing calcium absorption, vitamin D aids in developing and preserving bone strength. Vitamin D functions in addition to other helpful nutrients to enhance bone mineralization. To keep the bone structure firm and strong, vitamin D is a must need nutrient. Without the presence of vitamin D, our bones become thin and fragile. A deficiency in vitamin D may cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. These are two types of bone disorder in which bones become weaker.

Long term restricted breast feeding practice without proper vitamin D supplementation may lead in developing reemergence of rickets. A decrease in outdoor activity and insufficient sun exposure may also trigger in developing rickets in infants.

Vitamin D functions at cellular level as well. It manages cell development and differentiation. It also aids in maintaining healthy immune system.

Some scientific studies also suggest that potential vitamin D functions like a protective shield against various forms of cancer, however, more clinical trials are needed to determine its actual relevance.

Vitamin D functions as an integral supplement in treating Alzheimer’s patients. It is due to the fact that these patients lack outdoor activities, so their natural level vitamin D synthesis may get hampered.

Vitamin D Natural Sources

Fortified foods can be considered as one of the wise vitamin D natural source. During 1930s, rickets was a primary health complication in US and it turned out as an epidemic.

By that time, a milk fortification program was implemented to fight against rickets. This implementation was a success and it nearly eradicated this complication in the US . Nearly 98-99% milk is fortified with vitamin D supplements in the US . However, milk derivatives such as cheese and ice creams are not fortified as it is with milk. So these products contain only a small amount of vitamin D in it.

Our mother nature is generous in vitamin D natural source. There are wide varieties of natural foods that contain vitamin D in it. These are cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, sardines, egg, beef liver, and many others. We can easily avail vitamin D from cheese and pudding prepared from fortified milk.

Sun exposure can be considered as the most important vitamin D natural source. It offers us plenty amount of vitamin D that we actually need for our body. Ultraviolet rays from the sun activate the synthesis of vitamin D in our skin area. The intensity of sunlight, humidity, season, smog, cloud and geographical latitude affect vitamin D synthesis in our body. We all need to expose ourselves to the sunlight in order to receive benefits from vitamin D synthesis.

Potential Health Risk

There is potential health risk associated with the excessive usage of vitamin D supplements. The adverse effects may include poor appetite, nausea, constipation, vomiting, weakness and weight loss. It can also boost up calcium levels in the blood stream causing various psychological complications such as confusion, depression and irritation.

Vitamin D3 and Solar Power for Optimal Health

Avid Suntanner & Vitamin D Advocate. Dr, Marc Sorenson: Dr. Marc Sorenson is the author of “Solar Power for Optimal Health” – a book detailing the benefits of vitamin D produced naturally through sun exposure. Sorenson is a regular sun [...]

Vitamin D Benefits

Doctors call vitamin D the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced by your skin when it’s exposed to sunlight– something in short supply in Britain. Doctors say the less sun you get, the higher your risk of MS [...]

Vitamin D Deficiency Stunts Growth

Because lack of vitamin D can cause fat accumulation and increased risk for chronic disorders later in life, furth fef er investigation is needed to determine whether vitamin D supplements could have potential benefits in the healthy [...]

Vitamin D: Doctors Urge Women To Show More Skin

“We need to raise their awareness of this deficiency and to offer them options for increasing their vitamin D levels. A vitamin D supplement is a start.”

Vitamin D benefits in diabetes

“Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases in particular,” said Sue Penckofer, Ph.D., R.N., study co-author and professor, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.

Author: Dr John Anne

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