Vitamin D is an important part of a healthy diet. New benefits
of this vitamin are being discovered every day, but many people
still do not receive enough vitamin D to reap the wonderful
benefits it can provide to their health. Vitamin D is most
famous for its contribution to joint and bone health by helping
the body absorb calcium. It has been shown that people who take
in enough vitamin D are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis
and joint pain. This vitamin can also slow the affects of
arthritis and lessen back pain in many individuals. Studies have
shown that vitamin D can also prevent certain types of cancer.
Vitamin D is one of the only vitamins produced naturally by the
body. However, in order for the body to produce vitamin D, it
has to be exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight. Generally,
an hour per week is more than enough, but surprisingly, many
people are still not exposed to enough sun to produce beneficial
amounts of vitamin D. Also, studies have shown that as we age,
we tend to produce less vitamin D even with adequate sun
exposure. These are the primary reasons why many adults have to
monitor their diets to make sure they are taking in enough
vitamin D.
Milk is often fortified with vitamin D, and you can also find
good amounts of vitamin D in certain kinds of fish that are rich
in omega-3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil is an herbal supplement
that is rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements are also widely
available.
While it is important to have enough vitamin D in your diet, it
is possible to take in too much vitamin D. This often happens
when a person receives a good amount of sun exposure and
consumes many foods that contain moderate amounts of vitamin D,
but also continues to take a vitamin D supplement. For this
reason, it is important to discuss with your doctor whether or
not you require a vitamin D supplement as part of your diet.
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