9 Benefits of Vitamin D
The so-called “sunshine vitamin” is one of the great allies of your health. However, many questions still arise about this. It will not be surprising if the first thing that comes to mind is the fame: “What is vitamin D for?” And it makes sense because a micronutrient synthesized simply by exposing your skin to the rays of the sun arouses curiosity. Let’s go with the benefits of vitamin D for your body!
What are the benefits of vitamin D?
To avoid Osteoporosis
The relationship between vitamin D and the health of your bones can be considered nothing short of emblematic. Everyone knows that his intake is linked to strong bones, but did you know that it also helps you avoid contracting osteomalacia (softening of the bones) and osteoporosis?
Well, yes, the truth is that far from what you might think, such pathologies are not only related to receiving an adequate dose of calcium. And, if you run out of vitamin D, you won’t be able to absorb calcium or phosphorus in the gut, nor will it be deposited properly in your bones.
Also, take vitamin D in the recommended daily amount(all info). This will prevent your kidney from excreting too much calcium and, with vitamin K, will regulate calcium metabolism and prevent rickets in children and bone weakness in adults.
Immune System and Vitamin D
The importance of vitamin D in your immune system is out of the question by activating the body’s defenses because insufficient intake of it leads to the “killer” cells of the immune system, known as T cells, are unable to react against serious infections.
Unsurprisingly, the researchers found that T cells have vitamin D to activate and that in the absence of this vitamin in the blood, they would remain “sleeping.” Nothing is further from what interests you, right?
The Depression? Put an end to this with Vitamin D.
The arrival of winter makes the sky turn grey, the days get shorter, and the sun gradually appears. Such circumstances often trigger typical winter depression, similar from a medical perspective to THE SAD (seasonal affective disorder), affecting 3% of the European population. It has been found that one of the causes of SAD is a lack of vitamin D(follow the link).
The psychologically positive effect of sunlight has been a proven fact for years. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to seasonal depression as well as other more severe forms of depression, according to clinical studies conducted over the past 15 years. These studies show that people with some depression have deficient levels of vitamin D. Click here to find out how to increase these levels.
Natural anti-inflammatory
Vitamin D helps calm inflammation. This is possible through a series of interactions with the immune system, actively helping to fight viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
Before an attack on the immune system, vitamin D works by activating special antimicrobial mechanisms that inhibit inflammation. Therefore, the role it plays in your body to prevent acute or chronic inflammation and speed up the healing process is priceless. Do you now understand why it is called “natural anti-inflammatory”? In addition, it is considered an effective substitute for antibiotics.
Vitamin D: An Ally Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the great ailments of today’s society and an irreversible neurocognitive disorder leading to loss of memory and perception, in which behavioral changes are also observed. The most common of all dementias brings the head to countless families whose elders suffer from it.
Fortunately, clinical research has recently shown that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is greatly increased when you have low vitamin levels. The reason? The protective effect that this natural “shield” exerts on the brain since vitamin D guarantees communication between nerve cells and, therefore, protects them from their long-term death.
In this way, vitamin D is part of the list of vitamins that could play a crucial role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, which today has no cure.
With sport, form a winning team.
It is no coincidence that Russian and German athletes have used the benefits of the sun over the past 30 or 40 years to improve their physical performance. In addition, exposure to the sun has been shown to reduce pain, promoting sports injuries.
At the same time, you are surely aware of the importance of vitamin D for muscle building, a relationship highlighted by the observation of age-derived sarcopenia, which results in loss of muscle mass, weakness, and muscle pain. When vitamin D levels are too low, the risk of developing sarcopenia increases.
All these reasons, as well as the fact that this micronutrient improves sports performance, have given it the title of “legal doping of athletes.”
Vitamin D and Testosterone
Testosterone concentration can be increased with vitamin D intake. This is deducted from the results of a study that reminds us of the relevance of pointing out that the 20% increase in available testosterone is how this hormone can be used directly by the body.
Know its effects on male fertility
Vitamin D has been shown to increase the quality of male sperm. Sperm must “swim” to the egg during fertilization, and it has been observed that after taking vitamin D, they do so more quickly. This effect would occur by providing sperm with the “fuel” it needs, deserving of a special mention of calcium, which moves with greater agility thanks to vitamin D.
In the military, a marvel
The infinite properties of vitamin D, intervening in bone formation, collaborating with the immune system, promoting cognitive functions, and increasing testosterone levels, have not gone unnoticed by the military in many countries.