What Is Vitamin D? What Are Its Benefits? What Does Vitamin D Do?
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D, one of the four fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), can remain in the body for a long time. It has two forms, D2 and D3: Vitamin D2, known as ergocalciferol, can be obtained from fortified foods, plant foods, and vitamin supplements. Foods rich in vitamin D include egg yolks, fatty fish, and liver. If you would like to see the daily sources in more detail, you can also take a look at our foods containing vitamin D article.
Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, is obtained from fortified foods, animal foods and vitamin supplements and can be synthesized in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The form synthesized in the skin or ingested with food is biologically inert. It becomes active after various reactions in the liver and kidney.
What Does Vitamin D Do?
Vitamin D supports calcium absorption in the intestine and serves to support the healthy growth of your normal bones. It is also necessary for bone growth and bone remodeling in our body.
Without enough vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle or misshapen. Vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia (bone softening) in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps protect the elderly from osteoporosis (bone loss).
Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including reducing inflammation, cell growth, muscle and nerve diseases, and immune function.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D?
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Protects Against Diseases;
By keeping the immune system strong, it can fight viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
Reduces respiratory infections; children and adults with low levels of vitamin D are at higher risk for asthma, allergic diseases, colds or upper respiratory tract infections.
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Reduces inflammation;
Research has shown that with increased levels of vitamin D, there is a reduction in levels of C reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.
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Protects skin health;
This vitamin affects the function of the skin and helps in the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.
In researches, it is mentioned that vitamin D deficiency may occur in acne skin due to hormonal problems. It is also known that vitamin D can be supported in the treatment of acne as it has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Since it takes part in cell renewal, it can also help protect skin cells.
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Reduces depression;
It can play an important role in regulating mood and preventing chronic fatigue, anxiety and depression.
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It helps to lose weight;
Research shows that extra calcium and vitamin D have an appetite suppressing effect.
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Protects bone health;
It is effective in regulating calcium, the building block of bone; vitamin D is a vitamin that is essential for the absorption of calcium. You can also examine the findings on the deficiency side in the deficiency guide here .
* These statements are not a substitute for medical advice. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional for detailed information.
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