Vitamin D and your immunity
VITAMIN D, THE ‘SUNSHINE VITAMIN’
Vitamin D is coined as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because when one is directly exposed to sunlight, the body system naturally produces Vitamin D, the fat-soluble vitamin. Apart from sunlight, some food and certain supplements can even help the body reach adequate levels of Vitamin D.
Vitamin D has been taking center stage during the COVID 19 experience, as many of the people who get COVID 19 are those with low vitamin D. Vitamin D is important to our overall health system. The most vital is to manage the absorption of calcium and phosphorus to facilitate the body’s normal immune system function. Vitamin D is crucial for the growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as the body’s resistance against certain diseases. It has been likened to a hormone in the way it functions as a precursor to hormones, which is unique to Vitamin D.
A person with Vitamin D deficiency results in a risk of developing abnormalities of the bones like osteomalacia (soft bones) or osteoporosis (fragile bones). For the most part, these diseases are from severe deficiency. Many of us get enough vitamin D to avoid severe bone deformities, yet we still are not getting as much as the body needs. And this amount changes on seasons. In the summer, being outside is a great way to get Vitamin D. But, what about in the winter, when our immune systems are often weaker. That is when we need more Vitamin D, yet we are often getting less, resulting in a weaker immune system.
Benefits of Vitamin D
We like to call Vitamin D a super vitamin. Most of the American population are not getting an adequate amount, yet Vit D plays such an important part in most aspects of our health. Let’s dig in, shall we?
Sleep. If you are missing sleep, it affects every aspect of your health and brain function. Studies have shown that Vitamin D increases the quality of sleep for a person. People with low Vitamin D tend to have more sleep disturbances, a decrease in quality sleep, and a lower sleep duration.
Supports the Nervous System: As Doctors of Chiropractic, this is one of the top reasons we recommend and focus on the consumption of Vitamin D for many of our patients. It plays a significant role in reducing the risk Nervous system diseases, including multiple sclerosis, autism, Parkinson’s, and ALS.
Keeps the Immune system functioning well: Lower Vitamin D levels are associated with an increase in susceptibility for infections. This includes viruses such as COVID 19, the flu, and even the common cold.
Increase cardiovascular health: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in America. Excitingly, research is showing that Vitamin D can increase cardiovascular health, helping prevent and reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, it is shown that it can help with the prevention of Type 2 diabetes.
Reduces depression. It helps to control the patient’s mood to avoid depression. Also worth noting, deficiency symptoms of Vitamin D are evident in people experiencing anxiety and schizophrenia.
Overall, Vitamin D is essential for a healthy and functioning body! It is so involved in multiple systems of our bodies and we are facing a wild epidemic of Americans not adequately getting enough Vitamin D throughout the year.
Vitamin D Insufficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is rare. It comes in the form of Rickets and other bone abnormalities. But Insufficiency is an epidemic. For many, it is essential to obtain Vitamin D from other sources aside from sunlight, there are many factors and situations that inhibit an individual to get sufficient levels of Vitamin D.
Among these factors would be if the individual is using sunscreen and stays indoors most of the time. The lack of Vitamin D is potentially linked to the increase in sunscreen use. Lack of sunlight can be tied to sunscreen use, not enough access to the sun, such as for people living in big cities where buildings or condominiums block entry of sunlight. Also, if the individual is staying in highly polluted and unhealthy areas or areas with colder weather.
The risk of Vitamin D deficiency is more likely for individuals who have darker skin. Darker skin has higher levels of melanin, thus, the less amount of Vitamin D is being absorbed by the skin. As a result, African American’s are experiencing higher levels of Vitamin D insufficiency. The importance to note of this, is that African American’s are more likely to get heart disease and type two diabetes, both of which risks are lowered as a result of adequate Vitamin D levels.
With all the above inhibiting factors, Vitamin D insufficiency would manifest in the form of a general sense of tiredness, increase in sickness and infections, slow wound healing, depression aches, and pains. There could even be severe bone or muscle pain or weakness that may cause difficulty in activities like climbing the steps, rising up from a low chair or floor, or causing to walk with a waddling gait. And lastly, the presence of stress fractures in the legs, pelvis, or hips.
Food Sources of Vitamin D
Vitamin D may be taken from healthy foods like salmon, canned tuna, egg yolk, and cheese. These foods not only help in acquiring Vitamin D but also provide the required minerals our body needs for optimal health.
Sunlight is the ultimate way of getting Vitamin D absorbed and used in your body. For many, it can take as little as 15 minutes in the summer of sun exposure, without sunscreen. That little amount of sunscreen less sun exposure should give you the necessary Vitamin D levels and also not cause an increase of harm to your skin. Of course, each individual is different, so taking precautions that are specific to your individual health is important.
Supplements can be necessary in the winter for those who cannot get adequate sun exposure. The important thing to note with supplements is that quality matters. Getting a high quality supplement is vitally important and taking the supplement with FAT is required for the best absorption.
At DHCC, we carry Standard Process, a trusted food based supplement company. They offer Vit. D supplements that are easily absorbed. For individual needs, getting a lab test to see where you are with your needs of Vitamin D are important. Reach out to the docs at DHCC to get sent for a lab test or more information on Vitamin D insufficiency and your individual health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990512/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213953/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23336971/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/