Vitamin D can help to prevent rickets, osteoporosis, depression, schizophrenia, some cancers, diabetes and obesity. It is often called the sunshine vitamin because your body actually makes vitamin D when sunlight hits your skin. Having the appropriate amount of vitamin D in your body is important because it facilitates calcium absorption in your intestines. Because vitamin D is so important, here are some facts that you should know about it.
You cannot get the amount of Vitamin D your body needs from food consumption alone. Foods fortified with vitamin D are good, but your body needs exposure to sunlight to create vitamin D.
Calcium With D
You need to increase the amount of exposure to the sun the father that you reside from the equator.
It will take you months to rebound from vitamin D deficiency and will only be achieved with adequate exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun coupled with taking vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D is necessary for healthy bone growth and development. If a pregnant mother had adequate exposure to ultraviolet rays and taken vitamin D supplements, a baby's vitamin D levels can be raised at birth.
If your doctor has advised you that you are vitamin D deficient, begin a regimen of taking supplements and enjoying some sunshine, but don't forget to follow up in three months with another vitamin D test. Your doctor should schedule regular blood work to test your vitamin levels over the course of two years to ensure there are no problems.
The best food source for vitamin D is pure cod liver oil. Ensure that you are purchasing pure cod liver oil because the refined oil often has vitamin D removed, so read your labels carefully.
Some anti-inflammatory medications and weight loss drugs can reduce calcium and vitamin D absorption. Please make sure you discuss these issues with your physician if you have a vitamin D deficiency.