Vitamin D Benefits
Recent studies suggest that Vitamin D benefits are much more than just for the bones, it also shows promise in treating and preventing breast, prostate and colon cancer. This fat soluble vitamin is vital to our health and many may be deficient in it. Vitamin d sources include exposure to sunlight and eating foods with vitamin d.
Among the benefits of Vitamin D is it's role in helping us absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D, you are only able to absorb a fraction of calcium needed for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis. In addition, early research suggest that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to certain cancers and that perhaps the vitamin itself can be used to treat some cancers that are already present.
Vitamin D Sources
Vitamin D is unique in that it can be made by the body. Research shows that you can enjoy Vitamin D benefits simply by exposing your unprotected skin to the sun for 15 to 30 minuets 3 or 4 times a week. Other vitamin D sources include the foods you eat. Some foods with vitamin D contain the vitamin naturally and others are fortified with the vitamin. And of course, you can take a vitamin supplement to boost up your intake if you
don't get enough from the sun or nutrition.
Foods With Vitamin D
Since current food production practices strip most of the vitamins and minerals from our foods, many off the shelf products are now fortified with vitamins in the hopes of replacing some of the nutrients necessary for good health. Some foods fortified with vitamin D include milk, margarine and some cereals. Natural foods with vitamin D include chicken liver, eggs, fatty fish like salmon and mackerel and cod liver oil
Research suggest that we simply are not getting enough from any of these vitamin d sources and may want to take a supplement. Since exposure to the sun without sun screen is thought to cause skin cancer, many people do not get vitamin D through this source and it is quite difficult to eat enough foods with vitamin D to insure your levels are sufficient.
Of Interest
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